When you visit a bank or supermarket, you can often see a machine that counts cash. Known as a currency counter, this machine is faster andmore accurately than manual counting,, so it is widely used in places that handle large volumes of paper such as banknotes and gift certificates.

One factor that can affect the accuracy of this machine is static electricity. As bills are quickly separated and moved, static electricity can build up, causing the paper to stick together. When this happens, multiple bills may be recognized at once, leading to counting errors. One material used in these applications is CNT(Carbon Nanotube), as it can help control static electricity even in small amounts and support stable operation.

Today, we introduce CNT(Carbon Nanotube), a material that is not easily visible but is widely used in applications ranging from everyday products to EV batteries.

CNT: Thin as a Hair, Strong Beyond Expectation

CNT stands for Carbon Nanotube, a microscopic carbon-based material with a tube-shaped structure. Its diameter is measured in nanometers (nm), making it extremely small, approximately one hundred-thousandth the thickness of a human hair.

To better understand the structure of CNT, it can be thought of as a sheet of graphene rolled into a tube. Graphene is a thin layer of carbon atoms connected in a dense honeycomb pattern. In simple terms, it is similar to rolling up a sheet of paper to form a straw.

Despite its small and slender structure, it offers high strength, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity as well as lightweight and flexible properties. For these reasons, it has long been referred to as a “dream material.”

CNT is especially useful because even a small amount can help improve the performance of other materials. It improves electrical conductivity, enables more efficient heat dissipation, and enhances structural stability.

Thanks to these characteristics, CNT is widely used across industries such as batteries, semiconductors and automotive components, and is becoming a practical material that helps improve performance across various applications.

What Currency Counters and EV Batteries Have in Common

Currency counters and EV batteries are used for completely different purposes, but they share something in common. Both require precise control of electrical properties to maintain stable performance.

In currency counters, it is important to manage the static electricity generated as large volumes of paper move rapidly. In fact, static electricity is so closely tied to counting accuracy that separate technologies are used to reduce frictional static generated during the counting process. With its excellent electrical conductivity, CNT can contribute to antistatic performance and is effectively used in these environments.

EV batteries are another representative field where electrical properties directly affect performance. Electrons must move smoothly inside the battery to maintain stable output and charging performance. In that sense, the two fields are connected by the role CNT plays in environments where electrical properties matter.

Why CNT Matters in EV Batteries

CNT is also gaining attention as an important material for electric vehicle batteries, as various materials within the battery play a crucial role in determining key performance factors such as driving range, charging speed, and lifespan.

For a battery to perform well, electrons must move smoothly within the electrode. If this flow is insufficient, it can impact charging speed, output and overall battery life. In this process, CNT serves as a conductive additive that supports the flow of electrons within the electrode. In simple terms, it helps form pathways through which electrons can move more easily.

The Role of CNT in Cathode Materials

CNT helps electricity flow more efficiently within cathode materials. Compared to conventional carbon black-based conductive additives, CNT can maintain electrical conductivity more effectively even at lower loading levels.

As conductivity improves, less conductive additive is needed, allowing more space for other key materials within the cathode. As a result, this can contribute to higher battery capacity and longer lifespan, while also supporting longer driving range and stable performance.

The Role of CNT in Anode Materials

CNT also plays an important role in anode materials. The anode is the part of the battery where lithium is stored during charging, making it a key factor in determining battery capacity.

Recently, there has been growing interest in applying silicon-based active materials to anodes to achieve higher energy density. Silicon-based materials can store a large amount of energy, making them advantageous for increasing battery capacity. However, during repeated charging and discharging, their volume tends to expand and contract significantly.

The challenge is that if this change continues repeatedly, the internal structure of the electrode can become unstable. When the electrode becomes unstable, the pathways through which electricity flows can also be disrupted, potentially impacting battery performance and lifespan. As a result, CNT helps maintain stable conductive pathways, minimizing performance loss. This is why CNT is drawing attention as an important material in next-generation anode applications.

From Laboratory to Industrial Applications

CNT has long been recognized as a material with strong potential in research laboratories. However, for it to be widely adopted in industrial applications, stable mass production technology and consistent quality are essential. No matter how excellent the material performance may be, widespread application is difficult if quality cannot be maintained throughout the mass production process.

LG Chem has built strong competitiveness in this area. Since establishing a mass production system for CNT in 2017, LG Chem has accelerated full-scale commercialization and secured a foundation for the stable supply of high-quality, uniform CNT.

Based on this capability, CNT has grown beyond a simple nanomaterial and is becoming an important material across the EV battery and electronic materials industries. In line with this trend, LG Chem is working closely with customers to develop high-value CNT solutions and expand their range of applications.

From the accuracy of currency counters to the performance of EV batteries, the common link between these seemingly different fields lies in the power of materials. CNT works behind the scenes to enhance product performance and deliver greater stability. Though small in size, this powerful material is expected to open up new possibilities for more products and technologies in the future.

Learn more about CNT 👉 https://www.lgchem.com/product-detail/cnt

※Some images in this content were generated using AI.