Effective Conductive Networks from Carbon Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Conductive networks are integral components in Li-ion battery electrodes, serving the dual function to provide electrons to the active material while its porosity ensures Li-ion electrolyte accessibility to deliver and release Li-ions, thereby ultimately determining the electrochemical performance, regardless of the active material. In the realm of academic research, the task of fabricating an electrode equipped with an effective conductive network emerges as a daunting challenge, profoundly influencing a researcher's ability to showcase the intrinsic electrochemical performance of an emerging active material. Amidst the plethora of conductive additives available for battery electrodes, researchers often find themselves navigating a labyrinth of choices, grappling with decisions on a suitable additive and the optimal methodology for electrode preparation. This review talk seeks to provide fundamental understanding and practical guidelines for designing battery electrodes with effective conductive networks across various length scales.[1] This involves meticulous selection of specific carbon conductive additives from the plethora of options, and exploring effective integration methods into the electrode, all tailored to the unique characteristics of the active materials and the specific research objectives. [1] J. F. Baumgärtner, K. V. Kravchyk, M. V. Kovalenko, Adv. Energy Mater. 2024, Manuscript Accepted. Figure 1