Sugino’s new dry Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) fiber product enhances the formulation of high-performance electrode slurries for advanced automotive batteries. Compared to conventional CMC powders, Sugino dry CMC fibers significantly improve the solid content of carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions, enabling higher concentrations without compromising homogeneity.

Using Sugino’s proprietary wet jet milling system, Star Burst, a 5 wt.% multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) dispersion can be uniformly processed with Sugino dry CMC fibers, as shown in the photo of the appearance in the chart (below), which exhibits a smooth surface slurry. In contrast, conventional CMC powders limit dispersion to just 4 wt.% and remain insufficiently dispersed, as evidenced by the textured surface of the slurry, as shown in the photo. This performance gain is attributed to the fine particle size (~10 microns) and fibrous morphology of Sugino’s dry CMC, which promotes easier and more uniform dispersion in slurry formulations.

The fibrous structure of the dry CMC facilitates more effective fibrillation of CNT bundles, resulting in a more homogeneous network and enabling higher solid loading. This contributes to improved electrode density, conductivity, and overall electrochemical performance.

Sugino dry CMC fibers are ideal for next-generation battery applications where power and energy density are critical. When paired with Star Burst technology, this new material offers a compelling solution for manufacturers seeking to push the boundaries of battery performance.