Particle size distribution (PSD) describes the range and proportion of particles of various sizes in a batch of granular or powdered material. In battery electrodes, the active materials and additives come as particles, and their size distribution can greatly affect processing and performance. For example, a cathode powder might have a median particle size or D50, of 10 micrometers, meaning half the particles are smaller than 10 µm. The powder will also have some distribution around that mean, perhaps ranging from 1 µm fines to 20 µm larger particles. A narrow PSD means most particles are similar in size, while a broad PSD means there’s a wide range of sizes. PSD can impact how well materials pack (tighter packing can increase energy density but might reduce electrolyte penetration), how they coat (very large particles might clog a slot-die coater or sediment out), and how they perform electrochemically (smaller particles usually give more surface area and better power but may cause more side reactions). Controlling PSD is also crucial for consistency; different batches of material might behave differently if their PSDs differ.
Dryve measures and optimizes particle size distribution as part of its material development. Dryve uses techniques like laser diffraction particle size analysis to characterize the PSD of new powders they create or receive. By paying attention to PSD, Dryve ensures that battery materials can be processed uniformly and perform predictably, which is key for scaling up and for achieving high-performance cells.
