Rheological and adhesive properties of Li-ion battery slurry from capillary suspension

Abstract

Mechanical properties of Li-ion battery slurry applying the concept of capillary suspension were investigated with regard to the interaction between a binder and the secondary fluid. Capillary suspension, which exploits capillary force induced by small amount of the secondary fluid, provides an innovative alternative for battery material offering advantageous features for processing and end use properties. This concept could be properly applied under an adequate understanding of the influence of the secondary fluid in industrial paste. In this study, the interaction between styrene-butadiene rubber(SBR) binder of Li-ion anode battery slurry and the secondary fluid octanol was determined by altering mixing protocol and binder content. Consequential variation in mechanical properties such as rheological properties and adhesion characteristics were measured. The role and the distribution of the binder in the capillary suspension were examined by microscopy and interfacial tension measurement. An accurate understanding of this interaction may enable us to optimize targeting mechanical properties of the materials through the concept of capillary suspension.