Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is characterized by its outstanding performances in mechanics and electric & thermal conductivity; it is a key material in multiple cutting-edge technological fields including nanoelectronics, composite materials, energy storage, sensors, electrical-conductive films, and more.

Nevertheless, from the initial catalyst preparation and growth, to the subsequent crashing, purifying, dispersion, and slurry production, every step in the process requires attentions and has significant influences on the quality of the final product.

In response, SGN, a company with 10 years of expertise in high-shear fluid processing, offers a solution by combining SWCNT growth devices with automated slurry production lines, to provide clients with an integrated one-stop SWCNT solution.

Diverse Application of SWCNT

Due to SWCNT’s nanometre-level diameter, high L/D ratio, and outstanding electrical, mechanical, thermal performances, its application has expanded from laboratory to large-scale industrial situations. As different fields have varied demands on purity, distribution, and other parameters, it is necessary to understand these demands before designing a one-stop production line.

1. Energy Storage

In devices like lithium-ion battery, supercapacitor, and lithium-sulfur battery, SWCNT acts as a conductive additive or electrode material, which forms highly efficient conductive networks, thereby improving performance and cycle life.

Conductivity:

SWCNT has great electrical conductivity, so a little addition (≤0.5 wt%) forms a percolating network.

Dispersion:

SWCNT can be dispersed evenly to avoid uneven electrical resistances caused by agglomerates.

Suitability:

SWCNT slurry is stable and is suitable as coating.

2. Strengthening Composite Material

In structure-function-integrated composites, SWCNT is used as strengthening fillers to improve the base material’s conductivity and strength. Typical applications include in aeronautics, lightweight vehicles, electromagnetic shielding materials.

L/D Requirements:

SWCNT has high L/D ratio (>1000) that benefits the network construction.

Surface Properties:

SWCNT’s modifiable surface enhances the adhesion with the base material.

Dispersion:

SWCNT can be dispersed evenly to avoid uneven electrical resistances caused by agglomerates.

3. Electronic Sensors

SWCNTs can be used in field-effect transistors, logic circuits, gas sensors, biosensors, flexible electronic devices, and more.

Purity Control:

SWCNT with a metal impurity content of <50 ppm can be produced, meeting industrial requirements.

Length:

SWCNT growth’s length distribution is controllable.

Solvent Processing:

SWCNT is suitable for the solvent method processing, suitable for printing uses.

Full-Process Solution from Growth to Slurry Production

SGN’s one-stop solution covers every step from growing SWCNT to high-shear dispersion and ultra-high-pressure homogenization, which can be stably applied in multiple situations including battery slurry productions, composite materials, nano-coatings, and pilot-scale testings.

SWCNT Production Line 01

CVD SWCNT Growth Equipment

Powders are the origin of SWCNT, their quality determines the performance of the product; however, the current industry generally faces challenges of inconsistent powder quality and low production efficiency.

SGN offers a wide range of specialized equipment for SWCNT growth, featuring a multi-stage ultrasonic atomization feed system, ensuring uniform feeding and excellent batch-to-batch consistency.

The equipment features CT4-compliant industrial-grade explosion-proof, offering low energy cost and long service life. It is equipped with multiple intelligent safety measures (including detection on oxygen levels, temperature, and pressure, as well as gas leak protection). The outlet enables continuous material collection without interrupting operation.

SWCNT Production Line 02

SWCNT Slurry Production Line

During the slurry production process, powders often float around and form agglomerates, causing the dispersing to be uneven and making the product unstable, therefore affecting the subsequent application.

SGN offers full-automated production line integrating premixing and ultra-high-pressure homogenizing, which solves these aforementioned problems effectively.

The premixing stage wets the powders and breaks any agglomerates before proceeding to the ultra-high-pressure homogenization stage. It obtains a final product that is fine, even, stable, and easy to store, which overcomes the challenges in SWCNT slurry productions.