The development of high-performance lithium-ion battery electrodes necessitates reducing the content of conductive additives while preserving excellent electrochemical properties. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with approximately 3 to 7 walls were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm their morphology and purity. Electrical conductivity was assessed through powder resistivity measurements. CNT dispersions were prepared by ultrasonic treatment using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP, 95 wt%), a dispersant (2 wt%), and CNTs (3 wt%). Thin films coated on glass slides showed surface resistances of 36 Ω/sq, indicating superior electronic conductivity compared to conventional carbon black. The optimized CNT dispersion was then mixed with NCM613 cathode active material and a binder to create electrodes containing only 1 wt% conductive additive. For comparison, reference electrodes were also prepared using conventional carbon black at a loading of 2.2 wt%. Electrochemical testing revealed that the CNT-based electrodes achieved comparable cycling stability, rate capability, and capacity retention, despite having a lower conductive additive content. These results demonstrate the feasibility of reducing conductive additive loading to 1 wt% by utilizing highly conductive CNTs, thereby increasing the proportion of active material and enhancing overall energy density.
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