CNANO(SH:688116) Tou Bao Yan Jiu Yuan·2025-04-23 12:22Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the carbon nanotube industry Core Insights - Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a new type of material with exceptional mechanical, electrical, thermal, and chemical stability properties [2][3] - The market for carbon nanotubes is expected to grow significantly, but the growth rate is lagging behind that of lithium batteries [29] Summary by Sections 1. What are Carbon Nanotubes? - Carbon nanotubes are seamless nanoscale tubes formed by rolling single or multiple layers of graphene [2] - They exhibit strength approximately 100 times that of steel while having a density about 1/6 that of steel [2] - Their mechanical properties include high strength and flexibility, with a Young's modulus nearly six times that of steel [2] 2. Electrical and Thermal Properties - CNTs have excellent electrical conductivity, theoretically second only to superconductors, with minimal energy loss during electron transport [3] - They are also known for their superior thermal conductivity, being 3-6 times more efficient than diamond [3] 3. Types of Carbon Nanotubes - Carbon nanotubes can be classified into single-walled (SWCNT) and multi-walled (MWCNT) types, with SWCNTs generally exhibiting superior performance [9][10] - SWCNTs have a diameter of 1-2 nm and a length that can reach up to 1 mm, while MWCNTs have a diameter ranging from 7-100 nm [9] 4. Applications of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes - SWCNTs are widely used in structural materials, composite materials, enhanced plastics, industrial coatings, automotive tires, and energy storage [14][15] - They can significantly improve the mechanical properties of materials, such as increasing tensile strength by 100 MPa with just a 1% addition by weight [10][15] 5. Carbon Nanotubes in Lithium Batteries - CNTs enhance the conductivity of lithium battery electrodes, improving charge and discharge efficiency [23] - They provide structural stability to electrodes, mitigating volume changes during charge cycles, thus enhancing cycle life [24] - The use of CNTs can also improve the ionic transport properties of electrolytes, leading to better battery performance [25] 6. Market Growth and Trends - The carbon nanotube slurry market in China is projected to grow from 48,000 tons in 2020 to 145,000 tons by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% [29] - In contrast, lithium battery shipments are expected to increase from 143 GWh in 2020 to 1,175 GWh by 2024, with a CAGR of 69% [29] - The trend towards fast charging in electric vehicles is expected to drive the adoption of CNTs in lithium batteries, as they enhance the battery's rate performance [31][32]