Sulfur-Modified Carbon Nanotube Dispersion for Low-Viscosity Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to create a carbon nanotube dispersion with improved dispersibility and low viscosity for use in secondary battery electrodes, as conventional methods using polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacids often result in strong bonding and agglomeration, leading to reduced dispersibility and increased viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating sulfur into the carbon nanotube dispersion, along with a first dispersant containing an amide group and a second dispersant with hydroxyl or carboxylic groups, helps mitigate agglomeration and maintains low viscosity, enhancing the dispersibility and processability of carbon nanotubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacid are co-used as dispersants, then dispersing effect is expected to improve, but strong bonding between materials occurs forming insolubles or agglomerates which reduce dispersibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sulfur as a new component parameter in the dispersant system, changing the chemical composition parameters to prevent harmful bonding between polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacid while maintaining their dispersing functions
Solution Approach 2:
Sulfur acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the first and second dispersants, preventing their direct strong bonding and agglomeration while allowing both to function effectively in dispersing carbon nanotubes
2Reliability
If carbon nanotubes are used as conductive material, then electrical conductivity and battery capacity improve, but dispersibility and processability require low viscosity dispersion which is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite dispersant system comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacid, and sulfur together, which provides both the dispersing power needed for carbon nanotube dispersion and the low viscosity required for processability
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersant system exhibits different functional properties at different levels: strong dispersing action at the molecular level while maintaining low viscosity at the bulk level, achieving both high conductivity and ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sulfur-modified dispersion achieves excellent carbon nanotube dispersibility and conductivity, minimizing agglomeration and maintaining low viscosity, thereby improving the manufacturing process and performance of secondary battery electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
a first dispersant containing an amide group; a second dispersant containing at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group and a carboxylic group
Implementation Method 2
sulfur; The carbon nanotube dispersion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has significantly low viscosity and improved carbon nanotube dispersibility
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a carbon nanotube dispersion including carbon nanotubes, a first dispersant having an amide group, a second dispersant having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, and sulfur. The present disclosure also relates to a method of preparing the dispersion, an electrode slurry composition including the dispersion, an electrode including the electrode slurry composition, and a secondary battery including the electrode.