Key auxiliary materials in lithium batteries - conductive agents

 Key auxiliary materials in lithium batteries - conductive agents

Conductive agent is an important auxiliary material for batteries, and conductive carbon black is the most widely used conductive agent. The main function of conductive agent is to improve the conductivity of batteries. Only a small amount of addition can greatly improve the performance of lithium batteries. Conductive agent products include conductive carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene, etc., which are important auxiliary materials for batteries.

1

Why do we need to add conductive agent to lithium batteries?

The normal charging and discharging process of lithium batteries requires the participation of lithium ions and electrons. This requires that the electrodes of lithium-ion batteries must be mixed conductors of ions and electrons, and the electrode reaction can only occur at the junction of the electrolyte, conductive agent, and active material. The positive electrode active materials are mostly transition metal oxides or transition metal phosphates, which are semiconductors or insulators with poor conductivity, and conductive agents must be added to improve conductivity.

Uncovering the secrets of battery performance: working principle and performance evaluation of battery separators

Uncovering the secrets of battery performance: working principle and performance evaluation of battery separators

The components of a battery are a cathode and an anode, which are separated by a separator. The separator is wetted by an electrolyte, which forms a catalyst that facilitates the movement of ions from the cathode to the anode during charging and vice versa during discharge. Ions are atoms that have lost or gained electrons and become electrically charged. While ions can pass freely between the electrodes, the separator is a non-conductive insulator.