The domestic battery and material industry is actively developing lithium metal anode materials to improve energy density. Until now, battery technology development has primarily focused on increasing the nickel content of cathode materials to enhance energy density, but this approach is approaching its limits, leading to a growing demand for improvements in anode materials.
Compared to conventional graphite-based anode materials, lithium metal anode materials have a higher energy density, allowing for lighter batteries and faster charging speeds.
According to industry sources on the 5th, Ecopro will unveil its plans for developing lithium metal anode materials at the 'Interbattery 2025' event held from the 5th to the 7th at COEX in Seoul. This is the first time Ecopro has officially disclosed plans regarding lithium metal anode materials. An Ecopro representative stated, "Our subsidiary Ecopro Innovation is jointly developing lithium metal technology with Hydro Quebec, the Canadian power company. We also plan to establish a pilot line for producing lithium sulfide for all-solid-state batteries by 2026."
POSCO FUTURE M is also engaged in lithium metal anode material development through the Future Technology Research Institute under POSCO Holdings. Currently, POSCO FUTURE M is the only company in the country producing both natural and artificial graphite anode materials, and it plans to enhance its competitiveness by expanding its product line to include lithium metal.
Lithium metal anode materials use lithium metal instead of conventional graphite as the anode collector. In lithium-ion batteries, lithium ions released from the cathode during charging move to the anode for storage, and during discharge, the lithium ions in the anode move back to the cathode, releasing electrons to generate electricity. Therefore, the ability of the anode to store lithium is a crucial factor in determining the energy density of the battery.
Unlike graphite anode materials, which store lithium ions through tiny internal spaces, lithium metal anode materials are entirely made of lithium metal. The ion storage capacity of lithium metal is theoretically more than 10 times that of graphite, and batteries equipped with lithium metal anode materials are evaluated to achieve energy densities improved by 40-50% compared to current lithium-ion batteries. This would enable the creation of electric vehicles capable of traveling over 900 km on a single charge.
Using lithium metal anode materials can increase charging speed to more than twice that of conventional lithium-ion batteries, allowing for an 80% charge in about 15 minutes from a discharged state. The ability to make the anode thinner also allows for a reduction in battery volume, and the battery manufacturing process is similar to existing methods, leveraging current equipment.
To commercialize lithium metal anode materials, it is necessary to overcome the technical barrier known as 'dendrite.' This phenomenon involves the formation of lithium crystals on the anode surface during charging, growing into sharp, branch-like structures. As dendrites grow, they can damage the separator and extend to the cathode surface, causing internal short circuits between the anode and cathode.
The corporation recognized as the leader in the field of lithium metal anode materials in South Korea is LG Energy Solution. LG Energy Solution plans to develop a lithium metal battery equipped with lithium metal anode materials for low-capacity systems by 2027 and aims to expand into high-capacity products such as electric vehicles in the future.
In 2021, LG Energy Solution opened a joint research center with KAIST and developed the world’s first borate-pyran-based liquid electrolyte that can dramatically enhance the performance of lithium metal batteries. The company noted, "Conventional electrolytes cause corrosion reactions when they come into contact with lithium metal anode materials, threatening lifespan and safety, but this electrolyte can control corrosion. It is considered a significant step towards overcoming dendrites."