What are its key applications?

1. ​Lithium-Ion Batteries:
   • Primary use (75% of demand) as a solvent for preparing electrode slurries (e.g., dissolving PVDF binders and dispersing conductive agents like CNT)
     1
     .
   • Ensures uniform coating of active materials on battery electrodes.
2. ​Electronics:
   • High-purity cleaning agent for circuit boards and semiconductor components
     1
     .
3. ​Polymers and Coatings:
   • Solvent for synthesizing resins, adhesives, and specialty coatings
     1
     .
4. ​Environmental Engineering:
   • Emerging use as an electron donor in denitrification processes to treat nitrate-contaminated wastewater

What are the safety and handling precautions?

• ​Hazards:
  • Skin and eye irritant (Category 2 for both)
    2
    .
  • May cause respiratory irritation (Specific Target Organ Toxicity, Category 3)
    2
    .
  • Reproductive toxicity (Category 1B)
    2
    .
• ​Protective Measures:
  • Use gloves, goggles, and ventilation systems
    2
    .
  • Store in cool, dry areas away from oxidizers and strong acids
    2
    .
• ​Fire Safety:
  • Combustible (flash point: 86°C). Use CO₂, foam, or dry powder extinguishers

How is NMP produced?

• ​Synthesis:
  • Reaction of γ-butyrolactone (GBL) with methylamine under high temperature (260–300°C) and pressure (10–15 MPa)
    1
    .
• ​Recycling:
  • Major producers like BASF and Zesen New Materials recover NMP from lithium battery manufacturing waste via distillation and purification