Fabrication and Application of Carbon Material Films by Electrophoretic Deposition Method

We have ever proposed to prepare the highly functional material films by using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. In this review, we have utilized the EPD process to fabricate the binder-free carbon negative electrodes for lithium ion secondary batteries; these electrodes were fabricated without mixing a binder. Powdered active materials are usually used for the electrode of lithium ion secondary batteries. The binder is used to form it as an electrode but is not concerned in charge-discharge reaction directly. Therefore, if it is not used for the electrode fabrication, it leads to high energy density of a battery. Artificial graphite powders could be deposited on the anode substrate by the EPD method. Smooth and uniform deposit could be obtained. It was shown clearly that the binder-free artificial graphite film functioned as the negative electrode for lithium ion secondary batteries. In addition, a co-deposited film consisting of activated carbon and Ketjenblack powder particles was investigated as the electrode for capacitor cells. It was found that the co-deposited film fabricated by adding polyvinylidine difluoride as a binder to the EPD bath operated successfully as it. From these results, it is concluded that the EPD method can be applied as the carbon electrode fabrication process.