How Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Are Enhancing Battery Performance

As the demand for high-performance batteries continues to surge, driven by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics, the quest for advanced materials that can push the boundaries of energy storage is more critical than ever. While widely used, lithium-ion batteries face challenges such as limited lifespan, degradation, and slow charging rates. To address these issues and meet the growing needs of modern technology, researchers are exploring innovative solutions, including using single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs).

SWCNTs are used in various applications, including electronic devices, nanocomposites, supercapacitors, and batteries. However, battery applications hold the most significant market potential, particularly with the growing shift towards EVs. Traditionally, MWCNTs have been utilized as conductive additives in lithium-ion batteries, but SWCNTs offer enhanced performance and more significant potential for innovation in this area.

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are remarkable one-dimensional nanostructures made of a single layer of graphene rolled into a cylindrical shape. With diameters typically ranging from 0.7 to 2 nanometers, SWCNTs exhibit extraordinary electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties, making them highly valuable in various advanced applications, including energy storage systems.

Related:Could a Novel Graphene Anode be the Key to Future Sodium-Ion Batteries?

Figures of single-walled carbon nanotubes (only one layer) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (more than four layers) by Dr. Aleksey Kuznetsov is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Single-wall vs. Multi-wall

SWCNTs differ significantly from multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), composed of multiple concentric graphene layers. According to Carbon Nanotubes - Recent Advances, Perspectives, and Applications by Dr. Aleksey Kuznetsov, the key differences between SWCNTs and MWCNTs are as follows:

Comparison between SWCNT and MWCNT properties by Dr. Aleksey Kuznetsov is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Impact on battery performance

In lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), SWCNTs offer several benefits that help prevent anode degradation and improve cycle life:

Related:Can Problems Posed by Silicon Anodes be Solved Using Graphene Nanotubes?

Industry update: TUBALL BATT capacity expansion

The role of SWCNTs in battery technology is underscored by recent developments in the industry. Shanghai Haiyi Scientific & Trading Co., Ltd and Shenyang Huijing Nano Technology Co., Ltd announced plans to triple their production capacity of TUBALL BATT single-wall carbon nanotube dispersions by the end of 2025. These dispersions are crucial for enhancing the performance of anodes and cathodes in lithium-ion batteries.

Shanghai Haiyi plans to increase its TUBALL BATT capacity to 27,000 tons annually, while Shenyang Huijing aims to reach 25,000 tons annually. This expansion is driven by the growing demand for SWCNT dispersions in the battery market, particularly in China. As Mr. Zhu Yajun, Marketing Director of Shanghai Haiyi Scientific & Trading Co., Ltd and General Manager of Haiyi Hitech Material (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd, stated, “Single wall carbon nanotube dispersions are now widely used in most lithium-ion battery systems, and China’s energy market offers significant potential for new developments.”

Shanghai Haiyi and Shenyang Huijing are accelerating their plans to expand their production capacity of TUBALL BATT H2O dispersions for anodes and TUBALL BATT NMP dispersions for cathodes by the end of 2025. Courtesy of OCSiAl.

OCSiAl, the technology provider for TUBALL BATT, is supporting this expansion with the launch of a new synthesis plant in Serbia scheduled for October 2024. “We are committed to supporting Shanghai Haiyi and Shenyang Huijing in meeting rapidly growing market demand by investing in new OCSiAl nanotube synthesis plants,” said Loyes Zhi, OCSiAl General Manager for Great China and SEA. He emphasized the company’s expertise, stating, “The synthesis expertise stems from OCSiAl’s unique production knowledge of single wall carbon nanotubes, accumulated over nearly 15 years of continuous research and development.”

Mr. Xu Yongcheng, General Manager of Shenyang Huijing, highlighted the strategic importance of the expansion, stating, “The expansion by Shenyang Huijing is a decision made after thorough market research and based on the growing number of high energy density and fast charging projects, as well as firm confidence in OCSiAl’s leading single wall carbon nanotube technology.”

The expansion of SWCNT production capacity by Shanghai Haiyi and Shenyang Huijing underscores the growing recognition of SWCNTs' benefits in improving battery performance. Their integration into anodes and cathodes is crucial for developing batteries with enhanced durability, efficiency, and overall performance.