MEIJO NANO CARBON agreed to a capital and business alliance with SK Inc. Materials, a materials company of SK Group, a major Korean conglomerate.

MEIJO NANO CARBON is a start-up company that manufactures and sells high quality high-crystallinity and high-purity single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). High-crystallinity and high-purity SWCNTs are expected to be used in devices in fields such as semiconductors and cables, and with the investment from SK Inc. Materials, the two companies will collaborate particularly in the LIB (Li-ion Battery) Field.

TEM image of SWCNTs (x500K)

Graphite is mainly used as the anode material for conventional LIBs, but silicon is attracting attention as the next-generation anode material, which is said to have a theoretical storage capacity and cruising range 10 times greater than graphite.

However, one problem with silicon anodes is that function cannot be maintained due to severe deterioration caused by charge-discharge (cycle characteristics). However, by using SWCNTs as a conductive additive in the silicon anode, it is possible to improve the cycle characteristics significantly.

The partners plan to establish a mass production system for high-crystallinity and high-purity SWCNTs for LIB, mainly used in EV batteries.

MEIJO NANO CARBON is a Meijo University start-up company established in 2005. It is the only company in the world with semi-mass production technology for high-crystallinity and high-purity single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Compared to other conductive carbons, MEIJO NANO SWCNTs have by far the highest conductive performance and are lightweight.