The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) is on the verge of a significant breakthrough in the realm of lithium-ion batteries with its ‘silicon/graphene composite anode material.’ This innovation not only marks a pivotal advancement for KERI but also exemplifies successful technology transfer to the private sector, specifically to JNC Materials, a specialized company in electric and electronic materials. The technology was transferred in 2021 for a substantial fee of 1.1 billion KRW, showcasing the collaborative efforts between research institutions and industries to propel this technology towards commercialization.
Silicon has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional graphite in battery anodes due to its impressive energy density, boasting ten times that of graphite. Additionally, it offers rapid charge and discharge rates. However, the material’s potential is hampered by its propensity for volume expansion during charging and discharging, increasing by approximately three times, alongside its low electrical conductivity. To address these limitations, KERI has ingeniously integrated graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial known for its exceptional conductivity and electrochemical stability. Graphene forms a robust network-like coating around the silicon, significantly mitigating performance degradation caused by volume expansion.
KERI developed a specialized water-based dispersion technology that enables the production of high-quality graphene with varying viscosities, suitable for immediate application in lithium-ion battery anode manufacturing. This innovation facilitates the mass production of a core-shell structured composite anode material, where silicon is enveloped by graphene, enhancing its performance. The new approach has successfully increased the silicon content in anodes from the previous limit of 5% to an impressive 20%, resulting in high-capacity and high-quality anodes. This advancement could potentially increase the driving range of electric vehicles by over 20%. Furthermore, the use of affordable micron-sized silicon instead of costly nanosilicon enhances price competitiveness.
After the technology transfer, KERI has remained actively involved in guiding the commercialization process, consistently expanding its results and providing technical support to JNC Materials. The research team has also secured additional patents internationally, further cementing its technological rights. Their findings have been recognized globally, with a paper set to be published in the esteemed journal ‘Energy & Environmental Materials’ in 2025, which is known for its high impact factor of 14.1. This publication is anticipated to attract significant attention from both academia and industry due to its focus on commercial viability and applicability.
In collaboration with KERI, JNC Materials has aggressively invested in and partnered with other firms to lay the groundwork for the mass production of graphene. The company has established optimal production conditions within the ‘National Strategic Industry Specialization Zone for Secondary Batteries’ in Jecheon, South Korea, and has been progressively scaling up the KERI foundational technology through structured engineering phases. This effort culminated in the successful establishment of the country’s first large-scale graphene production facility in the previous year, which is capable of producing thousands of tons of high-quality graphene. The potential applications of this technology are vast; it could power approximately 60,000 electric vehicles or supply batteries for hundreds of millions of smartphones. Additionally, the high-capacity, high-performance lithium-ion batteries generated from this composite material could be utilized in energy storage systems (ESS), high-performance AI semiconductors, and servers, significantly contributing to the nation’s energy and AI industrial competitiveness.
KERI’s Director of Nanofusion Research Center, Seung-Yeol Jeong, emphasized that this technology represents a high-functionality nanomaterial-based commercialization approach that can achieve both high capacity and stability in secondary batteries. He affirmed that the technology has garnered recognition for its technical completeness and practicality from both domestic and international industries and academia. Jeong highlighted the importance of KERI’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with enterprises to establish a robust foundation for the mass production of composite anodes, showcasing a successful model of technology commercialization from research to application.
Echoing these sentiments, JNC Materials CEO Chang-Kun Lee stated that the successful collaboration with KERI has been instrumental in achieving significant milestones in graphene mass production, which he believes will drive the advancement and technological competitiveness of South Korea’s secondary battery industry.
As a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, KERI aims to continue its collaborative endeavors with industry and academia to develop key technologies, ultimately solidifying its position as a leading manufacturing base for K-Active Materials. Through these efforts, KERI aspires to position South Korea at the forefront of the global battery industry.
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