Researcher Huang of Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems, USA has given a brief account of Mechano Chemical Bonding (MCB) Technology in one of his papers.

Technique

According to him the MCB technique can modify the shape of dry particles and bind them together using mechanical energy alone without using any binders. It overcomes powder mixing problems caused by the segregation and agglomeration of particles and allows each component in the composite powder to function in its own characteristic way. MCB Technology is a unique dry particle processing technique that enables the use of nanoparticles to create multi-functional nano composites. This technique contributes to the development of advanced devices for energy storage applications due to its advantages to enhance particularly the performances of anode and cathode materials used in the Li-ion rechargeable batteries. The technique is an environmentally friendly process.

Principle

In principle, the MCB technique takes the advantages of passing dry powder mixtures with preferred particle size ratios through a narrow gap, so that smaller guest particles are bonded onto the surface of larger core particles under the influences of various types of mechanical forces.By applying the MCB treatment, powders can achieve particle coating, precision mixing,sphericalization, and surface modification in one processing step. The overall design of the MCB process is proprietary and being technically updated as new application arises. It can practically produce any type of composite powders without the constraint of chemical compositions.

Use in batteries

Mechano Chemical Bonding (MCB) is a unique technology that can effectively improve the performance of Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. It treats powders to increase electrode densities and to reduce the required amount of organic solvent and carbon black used in the battery manufacturing. Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries made by MCB treated powders can exhibit high capacity, long cycle life, and low internal ohmic resistance at high discharge rate.