Effects of Carbon Structure and Mixing Sequence in an Expander on the Capacity of Negative Electrodes in a Traction Battery

Abstract

Expanders were prepared by mixing barium sulfate, sodium lignosulfonate, and carbon materials by a high speed mixer. Effects of type of carbon materials and mixing sequence on electrochemical property of electrode were studied. Three different carbon materials: medium structure carbon black, high structure carbon black, and multi-wall carbon nanotube, were employed. The amount of charge and charge transfer resistance of electrode using different expanders were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Prepared expanders were characterized by a transmission electron microscope and a field emission scanning electron microscope. The capacity of the battery was tested by the high discharge rate test. Negative active materials were characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the type of carbon material and mixing sequence influenced the structure of carbon network in an expander and resulted in the change of the amount of charge and charge transfer resistance. All prepared expanders exhibited higher amount of charge and lower charge transfer resistance than those of a commercial expander. The highest amount of charge was obtained when the expander was prepared by mixing medium structure carbon black for 90 s before adding high structure carbon black. The high discharge test shows that the capacity of a battery using NAM prepared by this expander is approximately 10% higher than that using a commercial expander. The higher capacity is due to an increase of the surface area of NAM.