In the manufacturing process of lithium batteries, slurry preparation is a crucial step. The quality of the slurry directly affects the electrochemical performance, production efficiency, and safety of the battery. In actual battery mixing machine production, problems such as slurry settling and large viscosity changes often occur, which affect the consistency of batteries. Analyzing the causes of these problems and finding effective solutions are of great significance for improving the production efficiency and stability of lithium batteries.

1、 Cause analysis

1). Unstable water absorption of slurry: The water absorption of slurry is an important factor affecting its stability. When the slurry absorbs too much water, it can cause changes in its composition, thereby affecting its physical properties such as viscosity. In addition, water absorption can also cause the solid particles in the slurry to condense, thereby accelerating the sedimentation of the slurry.

2). Insufficient adhesive: Adhesive is an important component in maintaining the stability of the slurry. If the adhesive content is insufficient, the viscosity of the slurry will decrease, leading to poor stability and easy sedimentation.

3). Poor dispersion effect: During the preparation process, if solid particles cannot be fully dispersed in the medium, it will lead to poor dispersion effect of the slurry, which will affect its stability. The agglomeration and sedimentation of solid particles can lead to inconsistent battery performance and may even cause safety issues for the battery.

2、 Solution

1). Adjust the selection of raw materials

The selection of raw materials has a crucial impact on the stability of the slurry. Choosing appropriate raw materials, such as fillers and binders with lower water absorption, can effectively improve the stability of the slurry. In addition, optimizing the particle size and specific surface area of raw materials can also improve the dispersion and viscosity of the slurry.

 2). Adjust the mixing process

The stirring process is one of the key factors affecting the stability of the slurry. Optimizing the mixing process can improve the dispersion effect of solid particles in the slurry and reduce the settling speed. Specific measures include adjusting parameters such as the speed, linear speed, and mixing time of the mixer. An appropriate stirring process can evenly distribute solid particles in the slurry, thereby improving the stability of the slurry.

3). Adjust the amount of adhesive used

Adhesive is an important component in maintaining the stability of the slurry. By adjusting the amount of binder, the viscosity and stability of the slurry can be optimized. While ensuring that the binder can fully encapsulate solid particles, avoid excessive addition that may cause the slurry to become too thick. Determining the optimal amount of binder through experiments can effectively solve the problem of large viscosity changes in the slurry.

4). Control environmental moisture

The moisture in the environment can affect the stability of the slurry through its interaction with raw materials. Therefore, controlling the humidity in the production environment is crucial for maintaining the stability of the slurry. By strengthening the ventilation and dehumidification measures in the workshop, the humidity in the environment can be effectively reduced, thereby reducing the occurrence of water absorption problems in the slurry. In addition, drying the raw materials is also an effective method to reduce the water absorption of the slurry.

3、 Implementation plan and suggested measures

1). Strictly screen and control the raw materials to ensure that the performance of the selected materials meets the requirements. Establish long-term cooperative relationships with suppliers to ensure stable and reliable quality of raw materials.

2). Advanced process control technologies are adopted during the mixing process, such as precise control using automated equipment, to achieve optimization and stability of mixing process parameters.

3). Determine the optimal amount of adhesive through experiments and establish a strict quality inspection system to ensure that the quality and amount of adhesive added meet the standards.

4). Strengthen the environmental control of the workshop, adopt effective ventilation and dehumidification measures, and maintain the humidity of the production environment within a reasonable range. At the same time, necessary drying treatment should be carried out on the raw materials to reduce the water absorption risk of the slurry.

5). Establish a sound quality inspection system and conduct strict quality inspections on each batch of pulp. Trace and rectify non-conforming batches to ensure stable and reliable product quality.

6). Strengthen employee training and technical exchange activities, improve the skill level and quality awareness of operators. By continuously optimizing production processes and strengthening quality control, the efficiency and stability of lithium battery slurry preparation can be improved.

7). Cooperate with research institutions and universities, introduce advanced scientific research achievements and technical support, and promote innovation and development of lithium battery slurry preparation technology. Through industry university research cooperation, we can jointly overcome technical difficulties and improve the overall level of lithium battery production.

8). Pay attention to industry trends and changes in market demand, and adjust production strategies in a timely manner to meet customer needs. Strengthen communication and cooperation with customers, collect feedback information, analyze and improve, and enhance the market competitiveness of products.

9). Establish a sound environmental awareness and social responsibility system to ensure environmental compliance in the production process. Reasonably utilize resources, reduce energy consumption and waste emissions.