Researchers develop bilayer electrodes for Li-ion batteries

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed the design and process technology for a battery electrode that improves the performance and stability of batteries used in electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles. A joint research team led by Seungmin Hyun of the Department of Nano-Mechanics at KIMM, and Professor Hoo-jeong Lee of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) have developed a new battery technology that uses an electrode (anode) structure that enhances the reliability and performance of traditional lithium-ion batteries. The results of their research were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

In order to develop a design and process technology that maintains high performance and reliability even when the electrode of the lithium-ion battery is thick, the KIMM–SKKU joint research team formed a bilayered anode. The anode was designed with grooves allowing small materials with improved ion conductivity and electrical conductivity to be placed between high-capacity materials.

In general, lithium-ion battery electrodes are manufactured by coating and drying a slurry so that it can be evenly distributed over the entire electrode. As such, it is the uniformity of the slurry that determines battery performance. The thicker the electrode, the lower the energy density and uniformity, making it difficult to maintain performance in a high-power environment. The slurry refers to a mixture of active materials that chemically react to generate electrical energy when a battery is discharged, binders that are added for the structural stabilisation of electrodes, and conductive materials that are added to improve electric conductivity.

With the anode structure of this newly developed battery, uniform reaction stability can be achieved while maintaining high energy density throughout the electrode, even if the electrode is thick. This is particularly helpful in improving the performance and lifespan of batteries. Hyun said that this achievement is an efficient method to improve the performance and lifespan of batteries by applying a new design to traditional lithium-ion battery materials and processes. The research team will continue to make efforts to apply this technology to electric vehicles and soft robots that require high energy density in high-power environments, as well as to electronic devices such as commercial smartphones and laptops.

Image credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)