Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) that can increase the cycle life of lead-acid batteries by four times were showcased at the world’s largest battery show in China last week.
The Tuball™ nanotubes additive have also been shown to double capacity at high discharge rates and have an increase of capacity of 30%, claims the material’s producer, Israel-based OCSiAl.
The battery negative plate can be enhanced with just 0.01% by weight of the material, at a cost of $0.004 per Ampere hour; the company claims compared to the ordinary carbon black enhancer costs $0.169
OCSiAl product developer and CEO Konstantin Notman said his firm’s nanotubes are compatible with all battery chemistries and ideal for lead-acid in stop-start and hybrid vehicles because the charge/discharge rate is much faster.
“The technology gives a solid, 3-15% better energy density than carbon black additives,” he said.
“We are currently in different trial stages with around 30 companies in China, and at the end of the year we are going to launch a 50-ton reactor in Asia—exact location not confirmed.”
OCSiAl’s SWCNT-coated aluminium and copper foil is just 25-50 nanometers thick, said Notman, ten times less than carbon or graphene equivalents.
