Optimization of electrode manufacturing processes from the perspective of mechanical properties

Abstract

As the fundamental part of battery production, the electrode manufacturing processes have a key impact on the mechanical and electrochemical properties of batteries. A comprehensive study is designed in this paper to reveal the manufacturing effect from the perspective of mechanical properties. Initially, the electrodes samples are prepared after different manufacturing process, i.e., slurry mixing, coating, drying, calendering, slitting, punching, cutting, assembling, electrolyte filling and formation. The effects of these processes on the mechanical response and morphology of electrodes are investigated. The calendering process significantly enhances the strength of both anode and cathode while providing a more uniform distribution of particles on the electrode. Besides, according to literature studies, the slurry mixing process has a critical impact on electrode deformation and failure. Hence, the effects of compaction density ρc and binder content Bc are further discussed to improve the slurry mixing and calendering processes. The active layer will debond from the current collector during cathode failure process as ρc and Bc decreases. This study provides valuable suggestions for optimizing the mechanical response of electrodes under key electrode processes.