Coating slurries for making anodes and cathodes of
lithium batteries contain a large percentage of solid particles of different
chemicals, sizes and shapes in highly viscous media. A thorough mixing of these
slurries poses a major challenge in the battery manufacturing process. Several
types of mixing devices and mixing methods were examined. The conventional
turbine stirrers or ball mill mixers could be adequately used for the
preparation of anode slurries, but not suitable for cathode slurries. In this
study, a newly three-dimensional mixer, in conjunction with a multi-stage mixing
sequence was proposed. The mixing effectiveness was examined by means of
rheological measurements and flow visualization techniques. Preliminary
electrical performance results indicated that the battery obtained using the 3D
mixing device with a multi-stage mixing sequence was more efficient to those
obtained from conventional methods.
References
[1]
Cheon, S.E., Kwon, C.W., Kim, D.B., Hong, S.J., Kim, H.T. and Kim, S.W. (2000) Effect of Binary Conductive Agents in LiCoO2 Cathode on Performance of Lithium Ion Polymer Battery. Electrochimica Acta, 46, 599-605.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0013-4686(00)00626-5
[2]
Ponrouch, A. and Palacin, M.R. (2011) On the Impact of the Slurry Mixing Procedure in the Electrochemical Performance of Composite Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries: A Case Study for Mesocarbon Microbeads (MCMB) Graphite and Co3O4. Journal of Power Sources, 196, 9682-9688. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.07.045
[3]
Kim, K.M., Jeon, W.S., Chun, I.J. and Chang, S.H. (1999) Effect of Mixing Sequences on the Electrode Characteristics of Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 83, 108-113.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(99)00281-5
[4]
Lee, G.W., Ryu, J.H., Han, W.J., Ahn, K.H. and Oh, S.M. (2010) Effect of Slurry Preparation Process on Electrochemical Performances of LiCoO2 Composite Electrode. Journal of Power Sources, 195, 6049-6054.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.101
[5]
Yoshio, M., Brodd, R.J. and Kozawa, A. (2009) Lithium-Ion Batteries Science and Technologies. Springer, New York, 183-185. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34445-4
[6]
Zheng, H., Yang, R., Liu, G., Song, X.G. and Battaglia, V.S. (2012) Cooperation between Active Material, Polymeric Binder and Conductive Carbon Additive in Lithium Ion Battery Cathode. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 116, 4875-4822.
[7]
Li, J., Daniel, C. and Wood, D. (2011) Materials Processing for Lithium-Ion Batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 196, 2452-2460. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.11.001
[8]
Zheng, H., Tan, L., Liu, G., Song, X.G. and Battaglia, V.S. (2012) Calendering Effects on the Physical and Electrochemical Properties of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 Cathode. Journal of Power Sources, 208, 52-57.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.02.001
[9]
Yoo, M., Frank, C.W. and Mori, S. (2003) Interaction of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) with Graphite Particles. 1. Surface Morphology of a Composite Film and Its Relation to Processing Parameters. Chemistry of Materials, 15, 850-861. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cm0209970
[10]
Ligneel, E., Lestriez, B. and Guyomard, D. (2007) Relationships between Processing, Morphology and Discharge Capacity of the Composite Electrode. Journal of Power Sources, 174, 716-719.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.06.158
[11]
Ligneel, E., Lestriez, B., Hudhomme, A. and Guyomard, D. (2007) Effects of the Solvent Concentration (Solid Loading) on the Processing and Properties of the Composite Electrode. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 154, A235-A241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/1.2431316
[12]
Tanguy, P.A., Thibault, F., Dubois, C. and Aitkadi, A. (1999) Mixing Hydrodynamics in a Double Planetary Mixer. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 77, 318-324.
[13]
Zhou, G., Tanguy, P.A. and Dubois, C. (2000) Power Consumption in a Double Planetary Mixer with Non-Newtonian and Viscoelastic Materials. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 78, 445-453.
[14]
Morishima, H. (2008) Method of Producing Electrode and Method of Producing Nonaqueous Electrolyte Battery. US Patent, US 20080102196 A1.
[15]
Yang, C.Y., Cheng, C.H., Jo, S.M., Chen, J.C. and Hung, W.M. (1997) Performance Study of the LiCoO2/Graphite System. Journal of Power Sources, 68, 440-442. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(97)02590-1
[16]
Li, C. and Lin, Y. (2012) Interaction between Organic Additives and Active Powders in Water-Based Lithium Iron Phosphate Electrode Slurries. Journal of Power Sources, 220, 413-421.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.07.125
[17]
Zhang, W.J., He, X., Pu, W., Li, J. and Wan, C. (2011) Effect of Slurry Preparation and Dispersion on Electrochemical Performances of LiFePO4 Composite Electrode. Ionics, 17, 473-477. ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11581-011-0560-4
[18]
Despotopoulou, M. and Burchill, M.T. (2002) Coatings for Electrochemical Applications. Progress in Organic Coatings, 45, 119-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0300-9440(02)00105-4
[19]
Usui, H., Kishimoto, K. and Suzuki, H. (2001) Non-Newtonian Viscosity of Dense Slurries Prepared by Spherical Particles. Chemical Engineering Science, 56, 2979-2989. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(00)00476-0
[20]
Cho, K.Y., Kwon, Y.I., Youn, J.R. and Song, Y.S. (2013) Interaction Analysis between Binder and Particles in Multiphase Slurries. Analyst, 138, 2044-2050. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c3an36720g
[21]
Stickel, J.J. and Powell, R.L. (2005) Fluid Mechanics and Rheology of Dense Suspensions. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 37, 129-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fluid.36.050802.122132
[22]
Mustafa, H.U., Ishizuki, M., Shige, I. and Suzuki, H. (2003) Rheological Characteristics of Non-Spherical Graphite Suspensions. Korea-Australia Rheology Journal, 15, 19-25.
[23]
Li, C.C. and Wang, Y.W. (2011) Binder Distributions in Water-Based and Organic-Based LiCoO2 Electrode Sheets and Their Effects on Cell Performance. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 158, A1361-A1370.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.107112jes
[24]
Jeon, B.H., Yeon, J.H., Kim, K.M. and Chung, I.J. (2002) Preparation and Electrochemical Properties of Lithium-Sulfur Polymer Batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 109, 89-97.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(02)00050-2
[25]
Belliard, F. and Irvine, J.T.S. (2001) Electrochemical Performance of Ball-Milled ZnO-SnO2 Systems as Anodes in Lithium-Ion Battery. Journal of Power Sources, 97-98, 219-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7753(01)00544-4
[26]
Jiang, A.M., Li, G.C. and Tian, A.P. (2012) Modelling of the Mixing of Composite Solid Propellant Slurry in a Kneading Mixer. Advanced Materials Research, 490, 3334-3338.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.490-495.3334
[27]
Woziwodzki, S., Broniarz-Press, L. and Ochowiak, M. (2010) Transitional Mixing of Shear-Thinning Fluids in Vessels with Multiple Impellers. Chemical Engineering Technology, 33, 1099-1106. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ceat.201000121
[28]
Adachi, N., Hashiba, M. and Sakurada, O. (2004) Rheological Properties of Slurries Prepared Using a Planetary Mixer. Ceramics International, 30, 1055-1058. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2003.11.008
[29]
Usui, H. (2003) Rheological Characteristics of Non-Spherical Graphite Suspensions. Korea-Australia Rheology Journal, 15, 19-25.
[30]
Perry, R.H. and Green, D.W. (2007) Perry’s Chemical Engineering’s Hand Book. 7th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1449-1451.
[31]
Uhlherr, P.H.T., Guo, J., Tiu, C., Zhang, X.M., Zhou, J.Z.Q. and Fang, T.N. (2005) The Shear-Induced Solid-Liquid Transition in Yield Stress Materials with Chemically Different Structures. Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 125, 101-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2004.09.009
