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How Dispersants Influence Slurry Density,
Capacity, and Cycle Life
The addition of a dispersant doesn’t just improve slurry processability - it can also directly influence the electrochemical performance of the resulting electrode. As dispersant dosage increases, measurable changes occur both in slurry density and in the performance of the finished battery cells.
Adjusting Slurry Density Through Better Dispersion
Experimental results show that increasing the amount of dispersant can modify the cast slurry density, helping formulators fine‑tune electrode architecture. Small formulation adjustments at this stage can affect porosity, particle packing, and overall electrode uniformity, all of which play a role in the final battery’s functional performance.
Because electrode structure influences how ions and electrons move through the material, any modification to density or internal arrangement will naturally impact capacity, rate capability, and lifetime.
Higher Capacity at Select C‑Rates
Half‑cell coin cell tests provide clear evidence of how dispersant‑driven improvements in slurry structure translate into performance gains. Across a range of C‑rates, cells made with dispersant‑containing slurries delivered higher capacity at certain discharge rates compared to those without dispersant.
This improvement is typically linked to:
- Better conductive pathway formation
- More consistent particle distribution
- Reduced agglomeration, which allows ions to move more freely
Together, these factors enhance the electrode’s ability to deliver energy efficiently under varying load conditions.
Improved Cycle Life
Long‑term cycling tests further highlight the benefits of improved dispersion. Cells incorporating dispersant‑treated slurries not only showed higher capacity retention but also demonstrated longer cycle life overall. This indicates a more mechanically and electrochemically stable electrode, with fewer degradation pathways such as particle detachment, poor electronic connectivity, or uneven SEI formation.
Dispersion as a Lever for Performance Optimization
Dispersion quality is not merely a processing detail - it is a key design parameter that can significantly impact electrode performance. By carefully tuning dispersant dosage, manufacturers can enhance slurry density, improve rate capability, and extend cycle life, contributing to more robust, efficient, and long‑lasting lithium‑ion cells.
Watch our Video on this Topic
Read our Publication:; "Debundling of SWCNTs using a Non-Toxic, Low Carbon Footprint Dispersant"
Abstract
A fully aqueous, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone–free strategy for debundling single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is reported using the renewable dispersant Vanisperse® LI. Dispersions at 2 mg mL−1 were subjected to probe ultrasonication at 0.3 W mL−1 and evaluated using oscillatory rheology. Complex viscosity (η*) exhibited a transient maximum (~75 min) consistent with the formation of a percolated fibrous network, followed by a decline as debundling progressed. An optimum dispersant coverage of ~1.5 mg m−2 minimized η*, while overdosing likely induced multilayer adsorption and bridging seen by a rapid increase in η*. A two-stage centrifugation at 10,000× g yielded storage-stable suspensions of debundled SWCNTs without ultracentrifugation. SEM confirmed substantial debundling into thin fiber-like bundles. By formulating a dispersion with a dispersant that has a significantly lower cradle-to-gate carbon footprint than both fossil-based and bio-based alternatives such as CMC, this work presents a more sustainable approach to producing debundled SWCNT dispersions for advanced material applications.
Technical Bulletin: Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes with Vanisperse LI
Borregaard’s bio-based battery additives are designed for use in water-based electrode slurries and to stabilize aqueous carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions. Obtained from sustainably sourced wood, our products are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and highly effective.
Vanisperse LI provides a uniquely sustainable alternative and affords a lower CO2 footprint than petroleum-derived additives. Efficient dispersion of CNTs is critical for achieving uniform electrode composition and optimal battery performance. Sustainable water-soluble dispersants are essential to de-agglomerate CNTs in water, preventing the hydrophobic carbons from reforming agglomerates.