Through a broad portfolio of advanced carbons that includes carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon black (CB), and carbon nanostructures (CNS), Cabot Corp. has brought the world leading solutions of conductive carbons for lithium ion batteries (LIBs).

Cabot’s research and development team has worked to optimize the usage and function of conductive materials in LIBs. In cathodes, high aspect ratio CNTs, show clear benefits in imparting electronic conductivity at the lowest loadings across an electrode film. While, aciniform carbons, CBs, can make many contact points with lithium containing active materials for efficient ionic conductivity, as well as provide the space necessary for Li+ transport, while balancing the cost and processability challenges of CNTs. In silicon containing anodes, CNS is a new class of novel crosslinked CNT materials that greatly improve the cycle life of the cell. This has been shown through electrochemical testing of model cells.

Conductive carbons continue to be a key material technology in LIB. Cabot continues to work to optimize their function in LIBs with the goal of enabling LIB makers to develop winning cell designs by pushing developments in energy density and cycle life among others.