Cathode slurry for secondary batteries containing two or more types of conductive materials

3D Conductive Network Cathode Slurry Using Spherical Carbon Black and Functionalized Graphene Nanoribbons

This technology enhances electrical conductivity and dispersibility in cathode slurries by mixing spherical primary conductive materials, such as carbon black, with linear secondary conductive materials, specifically graphene nanoribbons, in a precise ratio to form a 3D network where nanoribbons are positioned between spherical particles.

Using only a single conductive material like carbon black often fails to create effective conductive pathways within thick electrodes. This limitation frequently leads to poor electron transport, resulting in reduced capacity and power performance, especially under high-rate charge/discharge conditions.

This technology involves opening carbon nanotubes longitudinally to create graphene nanoribbons with hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxyl (-COOH) groups on their surfaces. These are mixed with spherical conductive materials in a weight ratio of 95:5 to 85:15 to ensure dispersibility in polar solvents. Applicable to thick-film high-loading cathodes, high-power hybrid vehicle cells, and fast-charging electrode slurry formulations, it builds a point-to-line electronic pathway with only a small addition of nanoribbons.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• Cathode slurry for secondary batteries comprising cathode active material, conductive material, polar solvent, and binder
• Conductive material containing a mixture of spherical first conductive material and linear second conductive material, graphene nanoribbons
• Graphene nanoribbons with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on their surfaces, positioned between spherical first conductive materials
• Graphene nanoribbons obtained by opening carbon nanotubes along their longitudinal axis, with an aspect ratio of 10 to 150

‍

This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of manufacturing processes for cathode/anode materials and electrodes to achieve high-rate characteristics in lithium secondary batteries for frequency regulation.

‍