In a significant advancement for electric vehicle technology, JNC Materials, a South Korean company, is on the verge of mass-producing a groundbreaking silicon-graphene composite anode material for lithium-ion batteries. This innovation, which promises to increase the driving range of electric vehicles by over 20%, stems from a transfer of technology from the Korea Electric Research Institute (KERI) to JNC Materials. The newly established production facility in Jecheon, Chungbuk Province, is poised to produce thousands of tons of high-quality graphene, contributing to South Korea’s energy industry’s competitiveness in energy storage systems (ESS) and beyond.
The research team at KERI has overcome previous limitations associated with silicon, which possesses ten times the energy density compared to the traditional graphite anodes but has suffered from expansion during charging and discharging cycles and low electrical conductivity. Utilizing advanced two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial, graphene, the team developed a stable electrical and chemical structure that effectively mitigates performance degradation caused by silicon’s volumetric expansion. The innovative ‘core-shell’ structure encapsulates silicon within a protective graphene layer, enhancing the anode’s durability and efficiency.
Through a specialized oxidation-reduction method, the researchers successfully created high-quality graphene with varying viscosities suitable for lithium-ion battery anode manufacturing. This technique, known as ‘aqueous dispersion technology,’ allows for the large-scale production of composite anodes, which can significantly increase the amount of silicon used in the anodes from less than 5% to 20% or more, thereby quadrupling the anode’s capacity without compromising stability.
The implications for electric vehicles are profound; with the newly designed anode, electric vehicles can potentially achieve driving ranges that exceed current standards by approximately 20%. The research team has also developed pouch-type cells to evaluate electrochemical properties and has completed the registration of patents both domestically and internationally.
Since acquiring the technology for 1.1 billion KRW in 2021, JNC Materials has established itself within the National Advanced Strategic Industry Battery Specialized Complex in Jecheon, where it has created a conducive environment for production. The company has successfully built the nation’s first large-scale graphene production facility, which will be critical in synthesizing composite anodes. The graphene produced at this facility is expected to be integrated into batteries for around 60,000 electric vehicles or millions of smartphone batteries.
The Korea Electric Research Institute has expressed optimism regarding the potential applications of this high-capacity and high-performance lithium-ion battery technology, which could become essential for energy storage systems and high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor servers. This innovation is expected to significantly reinforce South Korea’s competitiveness in both energy and AI sectors.
Seung-Yeol Jeong, head of the Nano Convergence Research Center at KERI, emphasized that the transferred technology represents a commercializable advancement in high-capacity lithium-ion batteries while ensuring stability. He noted the ongoing collaboration between KERI and JNC Materials has been pivotal in laying the groundwork for the successful mass production of composite anodes. Jeong described this as a model case of successful commercialization of research institute technology, highlighting the seamless transition from fundamental technology development to practical application.
JNC Materials’ CEO, Chang-Kun Lee, applauded the innovative foundational technology provided by KERI, emphasizing the importance of close collaboration in achieving this significant milestone in graphene production. This advancement not only positions JNC Materials at the forefront of battery technology but also contributes to the broader landscape of energy innovation in South Korea, aligning with the country’s strategic goals in sustainable energy development.
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