Conformation-Driven Dispersion Control of Carbon Black by Carboxymethyl Cellulose: Implication for Binder-Particle Interactions

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The dispersion stability of Li-ion battery slurries is important for the processing and performance of energy storage systems. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a representative polymer binder commonly used in anode slurries; however, the effect of its molecular structure, especially altered by the degree of substitution (DS), on the dispersion and stability of carbon black (CB) particles is known only empirically. In this study, we analyze how the varying molecular structure of the polymer binder affects the CB dispersion in both solution and dried states. The influence of DS on the molecular conformation of CMC and its effects on the adsorption behavior and interaction between CB and CMC are carefully investigated through a comprehensive study employing rheological, dielectric, and scattering analysis. Our findings suggest that D…