Carboxymethyl Cellulose-500HC

Name: Nippon Paper MAC500HC Carboxymethyl Cellulose Binder for Advanced Lithium-Ion Batteries

Manufacturer: Nippon Paper Industries (Japan)

Model: Nippon Paper MAC500HC

Product Code: XN-BD-MAC500HC

Description:

Nippon Paper MAC500HC is a premium high-purity carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder engineered for advanced lithium-ion battery electrode formulations — particularly water-based anode slurry systems where it serves as the standard co-binder partner with SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) latex. As a result, this CMC grade plays three critical roles in modern aqueous anode formulations: improving dispersion stability of water-insoluble active materials (graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon-oxide), modifying slurry flow properties (rheology control for consistent coating quality), and enhancing auxiliary binding performance (mechanical reinforcement of the SBR-based binder network). The defining characteristics of MAC500HC include its high-viscosity grade (3,000–5,000 mPa·s for a 1% solution at 25 °C), ≥ 99.5% purity, controlled lower-D.S. range (0.65–0.75), and tightly controlled NaCl content (≤ 0.5%). The lower degree of substitution distinguishes MAC500HC from MAC350HC — providing reduced ionic-character interference for cells where binder-driven electrochemical side reactions must be minimized. Therefore, MAC500HC is the preferred choice for high-end research applications including high-voltage NCM811 cathodes, silicon-rich anodes, and demanding production environments where binder-induced contamination must be controlled. MAC500HC is supplied with tightly controlled specifications: moisture ≤ 10%, pH 6.0–8.5. Available in 1 kg packaging.

Application:

Nippon Paper MAC500HC is designed for high-end water-based lithium-ion battery anode slurry preparation, including premium graphite anode formulations using the industry-standard SBR + CMC water-based binder system, advanced silicon-carbon (Si-C) and silicon-oxide (SiOₓ) anode formulations where high CMC viscosity stabilizes silicon-containing dispersions, hard-carbon anode formulations for sodium-ion batteries, slurries requiring tight rheology control across the 3,000–5,000 mPa·s viscosity window, high-voltage NCM811 cathode formulations using water-based coating processes where binder purity directly impacts cycling performance, high-end research applications where SEI-layer stability and binder-electrolyte interactions are sensitive to ionic-character variations, and academic studies of binder-driven electrochemistry phenomena requiring tight contamination control.

Physical Properties:

Values measured by Nippon Paper Industries. Typical values for reference; not guaranteed unless otherwise specified.

Nippon Paper MAC500HC vs MAC350HC: Choose by Application Priority

Choose MAC500HC for high-voltage cells, advanced silicon-anode research, or applications where binder-induced electrochemical interference must be minimized. Choose MAC350HC for maximum dispersion stability and faster slurry hydration in standard graphite anode formulations.

Characteristics:

Controlled lower D.S. (0.65–0.75) for minimized electrochemical interference

The defining characteristic of MAC500HC is its controlled lower degree of substitution range (0.65–0.75) — strategically tuned below MAC350HC’s 0.78–0.88 range to reduce ionic-character interference in advanced lithium-ion cells. As a result, MAC500HC delivers reduced binder-driven electrochemical side reactions, more stable SEI layer formation, and minimized binder-electrolyte interactions in cells where these effects directly impact cycling performance — making this grade the preferred choice for high-voltage and silicon-rich anode research.

Tighter viscosity range (3,000–5,000 mPa·s) for precise rheology control

The MAC500HC viscosity range is narrower (3,000–5,000 mPa·s) compared to MAC350HC (2,500–5,000 mPa·s) — providing more precise rheology control for production-grade slurry formulations. Therefore, this CMC grade enables tighter batch-to-batch coating consistency and reduced process-driven variability in production-scale manufacturing.

High-purity grade (≥ 99.5%) for premium battery research

MAC500HC delivers exceptional purity (≥ 99.5%) — substantially higher than industrial-grade CMC products and well-suited for high-end battery research and production where binder-induced contamination must be minimized. Consequently, this CMC grade supports research applications where minor impurities would distort cell-level performance measurements.

Tightly controlled NaCl content (≤ 0.5%)

The NaCl content specification of below 0.5% is significantly tighter than the 1.0% maximum typical of standard-grade CMC products — minimizing residual chloride contamination that could interfere with electrochemical performance through electrolyte side reactions, current collector corrosion, or SEI layer modification. Therefore, MAC500HC is the preferred choice for cells where chloride-driven artifacts must be eliminated.

Improves dispersion stability of water-insoluble active materials

MAC500HC’s high molecular weight, controlled D.S., and high purity provide excellent dispersion stability for water-insoluble active materials including graphite particles, silicon-carbon composite particles, silicon-oxide particles, and hard-carbon particles. As a result, slurries formulated with MAC500HC maintain uniform active-material distribution throughout extended storage and coating operations.

Modifies slurry flow properties for consistent coating

The high-viscosity profile of MAC500HC (3,000–5,000 mPa·s for 1% solution) provides robust rheology control for water-based electrode slurries — particularly valuable for thick electrode coatings, dense active-material loadings, and slurries containing silicon-rich anodes that would settle out with lower-viscosity binders. Furthermore, this high viscosity enables the production of high-loading anode formulations where lower-viscosity CMC grades cannot adequately stabilize the dispersion.

Enhances auxiliary binding performance with SBR systems

MAC500HC partners seamlessly with SBR latex binders (such as ZEON BM-430B and ZEON BM-451B) in the industry-standard SBR + CMC water-based binder system. Consequently, the CMC component contributes auxiliary mechanical binding, electrode flexibility, and inter-particle bridging that complements the elastomeric properties of SBR — delivering composite binder performance that neither component achieves alone.

Aqueous (water-based) chemistry for environmental compliance

MAC500HC dissolves directly in water — eliminating the need for organic solvents in slurry preparation when paired with SBR latex for the SBR + CMC water-based anode binder system. As a result, this binder supports environmentally compliant manufacturing operations, reduces solvent recovery costs, and aligns with the industry-wide transition toward water-based electrode coating processes.

Industry-standard Nippon Paper quality and consistency

Nippon Paper Industries is a leading global supplier of cellulose-based industrial chemicals, with deep expertise in CMC chemistry derived from decades of paper-industry experience. Therefore, MAC500HC delivers consistent batch-to-batch performance backed by Nippon Paper’s quality control systems — supporting reliable scale-up from R&D laboratory experiments to industrial production.

Recommended Use Procedure:

1. Pre-dissolve MAC500HC in deionized water before adding to slurry. Add CMC powder slowly to vigorously stirred water (avoid forming clumps/lumps that resist hydration). 2. Continue stirring for 2–4 hours at moderate speed until the CMC is fully dissolved as a clear viscous solution. Note: MAC500HC’s lower D.S. results in slightly slower hydration than MAC350HC — allow extra mixing time. 3. Prepare anode slurry using the standard SBR + CMC co-binder protocol — typical formulation: anode active material (94–97 wt%), conductive additive (1–2 wt%), CMC MAC500HC (1 wt%), SBR latex (1.5–2 wt% on dry basis). 4. First mix the active material and conductive additive with the pre-dissolved CMC solution to disperse the active material. 5. Add the SBR latex last, stirring gently to avoid disrupting the SBR latex stability. 6. Filter the final slurry through a fine-mesh filter to remove any aggregates. 7. Coat onto copper current collector foil using standard coating equipment. 8. Dry the coated electrode at recommended temperatures (typically 80–120 °C) and roll-press to target porosity. 9. Reseal the CMC container tightly between uses to prevent moisture absorption.

Packaging & Storage:

Nippon Paper MAC500HC is supplied in 1 kg packaging, sealed for shipment and storage. Therefore, store in a dry place at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. CMC powder is hygroscopic — moisture absorption from humid air will alter the moisture content specification and may affect dissolution behavior and final solution viscosity. After opening, reseal the container tightly between uses to maintain product specifications.

Safety:

For research and industrial laboratory use only. CMC is a generally low-hazard cellulose derivative (food-grade across multiple industrial applications). Always wear appropriate PPE (safety glasses, gloves, lab coat) when handling CMC powder, especially when measuring large quantities — fine CMC powder can become airborne and cause minor respiratory irritation. Use in a well-ventilated area, particularly when weighing larger amounts. Do not store near oxidizers, strong acids, or strong bases. Refer to the Nippon Paper Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for complete safety and handling information.

Note: Specifications listed above are typical values provided by Nippon Paper Industries and are for reference only. Actual performance depends on the specific anode active material, slurry formulation, coating process parameters, and downstream cell manufacturing conditions — consult published literature for guidance on optimal CMC + SBR binder formulation protocols for specific anode chemistries (graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon-oxide, hard carbon). For researchers exploring complete lithium-ion battery binder workflows, see also Xnergy’s related products: Nippon Paper MAC350HC, DAICEL CMC 2200, ZEON SBR BM-430B (water-based anode binder for graphite anodes), ZEON SBR BM-451B (water-based anode binder for Si-C/SiOₓ anodes with expansion suppression), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) 5130 (NMP-based cathode binder), Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) 900, Daikin PTFE Dispersion Binder D-210C, PTFE Binder Powder, and the full Binders category. For complete electrode formulation systems, see also Anode Materials (graphite, silicon-carbon, silicon-oxide), Cathode Materials, Conductive Additives, and Current Collectors.