[Dispersant for Conductive Agent] Determines Performance of Secondary Batteries

Sales of electric vehicles that do not emit exhaust gas are increasing rapidly to protect the environment.


EVs use lithium secondary batteries with high energy density to increase driving range to sufficient distances and that can generate high-output electricity so that the vehicle can travel at fast speeds.
 
When the lithium-ion battery is charged and discharged, lithium ions travel between cathodes and anodes within the battery to create an electrochemical reaction called oxidation and reduction.


Here, a path for electrons to travel that will help deliver electricity to lithium-ion better is needed, and conductors are the substances that are in charge of this.
 
As the conductor is dispersed between the compressed electrode active material to maintain fine pores between the active material particles, making it easy for penetration of electrolytes and it can mitigate resistance within the electrodes through outstanding electrical conductivity.
 
To manufacture secondary batteries with high energy density per unit volume, it is very important to use conductors with outstanding electrical conductivity and intensity.
 
Carbon black was used in conductors in the past, but recently, there has been growing use of CNT (carbon nanotube) with outstanding performance. CNT has superior properties for allowing electric flow, and therefore, it is possible to obtain similar or better effects using a smaller quantity than when using carbon black.


By applying CNT, the amount of cathode material can be increased by the amount of the reduction of conductor, and in result, this can cause the capacity of secondary batteries to become greater, thereby elevating battery performance.
 
However, it is harder to disperse tube-type CNT compared to carbon black.


And so, when using CNT, stable dispersant with excellent performance must be used together with it.


The CNT must be dispersed evenly within the electrode material through this for more stable and constant performance of the battery.
 
LG Chem will contribute to improving the quality of secondary batteries by providing Dispersant for Conductive Agent having outstanding dispersion and electrical conductivity.