Carbon nanotubes for battery manufacturers

Carbon nanotubes for advanced batteries.

Industrial MOLECULAR REBAR® carbon nanotube dispersions and conductive additives engineered for lithium-ion and lead-acid battery manufacturing.

Carbon nanotube conductive network dispersed through battery electrode active material in a scanning electron microscope image
Original BDS SEM image of a carbon nanotube network in battery active material
Manufactured in the USAIndustrial-scale production10 L to 1,200 L formatsLi-ion and lead-acid

Why it matters

From bundled CNT powder to a usable conductive network

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are high-aspect-ratio nanomaterials that can form long conductive and reinforcing pathways through battery active material. Raw CNT naturally forms difficult bundles, so BDS individualizes, protects, and disperses the nanotubes in application-ready formulations matched to the target chemistry and manufacturing process.

Review original performance data

Battery applications

What carbon nanotubes can do inside an electrode.

The useful result depends on CNT dispersion quality, loading, battery chemistry, and the surrounding formulation. BDS develops the material and validation plan around those variables.

01

Build conductive pathways

Individualized, high-aspect-ratio nanotubes can connect active particles across longer distances than conventional particulate conductive additives.

02

Support faster charging

A well-integrated CNT network can reduce electrical limitations that restrict current flow at higher charging rates.

03

Reinforce active material

Nanotube networks can provide mechanical reinforcement through the electrode structure as the battery cycles.

04

Fit existing manufacturing

BDS supplies formulation and integration support for lithium-ion and lead-acid processes from development quantities through commercial formats.

Original BDS evidence

Evaluate the network—not just the raw nanotube.

BDS combines material processing, electrode imaging, cell testing, and manufacturer validation. Results remain chemistry-, formulation-, and test-specific.

The BDS process

Turning carbon nanotubes into a usable performance network.

01

Individualize

Separate bundled CNT into discrete, high-aspect-ratio structures.

02

Protect

Maintain tube integrity and surface behavior through processing.

03

Formulate

Tailor the dispersion for the target chemistry and process.

04

Connect

Create conductive pathways through battery active material.

Technical FAQ

Carbon nanotube questions.

Why use carbon nanotubes in battery electrodes?

High-aspect-ratio CNT can create conductive pathways and mechanical reinforcement through active material, supporting power, charging, and cycle-life goals.

How is a CNT dispersion different from dry powder?

A formulated dispersion addresses bundling, wetting, dosing, and integration so manufacturers can use CNT performance more consistently in their process while mitigating the safety concerns of raw CNT.

Which battery chemistries does BDS support?

BDS develops Molecular Rebar formulations for lithium-ion and lead-acid applications, with testing and integration support matched to the customer system.

Can BDS supply commercial volumes?

Yes. BDS supports 10 L jugs, 208 L drums, and 1,200 L totes for development through commercial-scale production.

Technical content reviewed by the Black Diamond Structures battery development team. Last updated August 2026.

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