The dry electrode process revolutionizes battery production by eliminating solvents and simplifying production. Unlike the traditional wet slurry method, the dry electrode bonding process relies on the use of special binders that can form an electrode coating without dissolving in the solvent, such as fluoropolymer binders with Teflon™ from the specialty chemical company Chemours.
It has been charged recently chatted with Tejas Upasani, Global EV Technology Manager at Chemours to learn more about the benefits and challenges of dry cell technology.
One of the key advantages of the dry electrode process is its positive effect on battery performance. By enabling thicker electrode layers without compromising structural integrity, this approach allows for increased energy density, which can improve EV range and efficiency.
This method not only improves the overall performance of lithium-ion batteries but also greatly reduces production costs, and many major players in the EV industry are exploring the adoption of dry electrode technology to simplify their battery production.
The dry process comes with its own set of technical challenges, especially in terms of adhesion and uniformity. Ensuring that the electrode material bonds effectively in current collectors without solvents is the main obstacle, as is achieving a consistent mixing of the components. In this video, Upasani explains how Chemours is addressing these challenges by using an advanced Teflon PTFE polymer formulation.