Impact of the manufacturing process on graphite blend electrodes with silicon nanoparticles for lithium-ion batteries

Correlating the input/output parameters of the manufacturing process aims to understand the link between the different steps of the Lithium-Ion Battery (LiB) electrode-making process. Fostering the interrelation of the properties in silicon/graphite blends for fabricating negative electrodes benefits the comprehension, quantification, and prediction of LiB output properties. Here, we report the impact of the manufacturing parameters during mixing, coating, and calendering on the properties of silicon/graphite blend negative electrodes. The mixing process was evaluated depending on the graphite content, where the viscosity increases with its percentage. Moreover, the slurry rheology directly impacts the electrode stability when the coating is done by using broader comma gaps. The calendering step evidences a porosity threshold necessary for adequate ionic resistance, tortuosity factor, and cycling life. Strong calendering increased the current collector adhesion, ionic resistance, tortuosity factor, and high cycling instability. On the other hand, better cyclabilities are obtained at moderate calendered electrodes, exhibiting the lowest ionic resistances and tortuosity factors.