A small dose of dispersant can significantly enhance the stability and performance of carbon nanotube (CNT) suspensions. One of the most visible effects is improved resistance to particle settling, resulting in a more uniform and stable dispersion over time.

Quantifying Dispersion Quality Through Rheology

Rheology is an effective method for evaluating how well CNTs are dispersed in a formulation. By examining viscosity curves, clear differences in dispersion quality can be observed.

In suspensions without dispersant, the viscosity curves appear as rising, diagonal lines. These profiles indicate poor particle separation and unstable dispersion behavior.

When a dispersant is added, two important changes occur:

• Reduced viscosity: The slurry becomes easier to process, pump, and coat.
• A shift to a more horizontal viscosity curve: This flatter profile signals a more stable, well‑dispersed suspension, with particles remaining uniformly distributed.

Together, these improvements demonstrate how even a small amount of dispersant can create a more controlled and robust CNT dispersion, supporting better performance in downstream electrode manufacturing.