Batteries Manufacturing | Rotational Viscosity Testing of Anode and Cathode Slurries
Rotational viscosity tests are an important part in the battery cell manufacturing process. The application report shows simple quality control tests of anode and cathode slurries with the rotational viscometer ViscoQC as well as more sophisticated tests with the rotational rheometer RheolabQC.
The main parts of a battery cell are the electrodes (cathode and anode), separator and electrolyte. Various types of battery cells are produced for a wide application area. However, lithium-ion batteries have become the mainstream of energy storage devices in the current market.
This application report shows some example viscosity measurements of electrode slurry (anode and cathode) with the rotational viscometer ViscoQC and the rotational rheometer RheolabQC. Electrode slurries typically consist of an active material, electrode binder and conductive agents. The active material is the main ingredient of the slurry as it defines the properties of the cathode and anode. The active material has an impact on the capacity and voltage of a battery. The mixed electrode slurry is coated on aluminum substrates and dried to form porous electrodes.
It is known that the viscosity of electrode slurries influences the fabrication process of electrodes. Excessively high viscosity will result in uneven coating, making the battery cycling time less predictable. Moreover, particle agglomeration can occur which results in uneven reaction distribution on the electrode surface. In contrast, too low viscosity can cause runniness. The main influencing factor for slurry viscosity is its composition. An increasing solid content will increase the viscosity.
Experiment
Anode and cathode slurries have been tested with ViscoQC and RheolabQC.
| Configuration | ViscoQC 300 - R | RheolabQC |
|---|---|---|
| Temp. device | PTD 80 | C-PTD 180/AIR/QC |
| Measuring system | CC12/D18 | CC27 |
| Sample volume | 11.8 mL | 19 mL |
| Software | V-Curve | RheoComplass™ |
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