Samsung SDI presents optimised electrolyte for lithium-metal batteries
Samsung SDI is calling its latest development a ‘breakthrough.’ The company achieved it through a joint research project that brought together its in-house research centre in South Korea, its US subsidiary SDI R&D America (SDIRA) and Columbia University. The teams developed a fluorine-based gel-polymer electrolyte designed to form a stable interface on the anode surface. By stabilising this interface, the new material effectively suppresses dendrite formation — a key challenge in next-generation battery cells.
Lithium-metal batteries hold significant potential, as this technology is expected to improve energy density by a factor of 1.6 compared to conventional lithium-ion cells. Higher energy density means that, for a battery of the same size, an electric vehicle can achieve a greater range or, for the same range, use a smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective battery. However, the limited lifespan of these cells has so far prevented commercialisation, as they ‘typically been restricted to only several dozen cycles.,’ according to Samsung SDI.
The issue stems from the formation of dendrites, which are deposits of metallic lithium on the anode. These often sharp deposits can damage the battery cell if they grow large enough to pierce the separator film—potentially causing an internal short circuit. Samsung SDI stated: “The research team significantly improved the lifespan and safety of lithium-l batteries by applying a gel polymer electrolyte. By developing a fluorine-based gel polymer electrolyte that forms a stable interphase on the anode surface, the team effectively suppressed dendrite formation, a key factor that has long degraded the performance of lithium-l batteries.”
The findings of the researchers from Samsung SDI in South Korea, the US, and their partners at Columbia University have now been published in Joule, one of the world’s leading scientific journals for energy research.
“The publication in Joule provides academic validation of our technology that improves the safety of lithium-l batteries, which had long been considered a key weakness,” said Yong Lak Joo, Executive Vice President and Head of the R&D Center. “We will continue to accelerate the development of next-generation battery technologies based on our global research network.”
“This study represents a major improvement in lithium-l battery performance through a new electrolyte formulation and brings commercialization of next-generation batteries one step closer,” added Yuan Yang, co-author of the study and Professor at Columbia University.
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