Researchers from the Polar Research Institute and Kyunghee University have found a key material that can be used in next-generation rechargeable batteries in Antarctica.
Yoon Euijung, chief researcher at the Polar Research Institute, said on the 13th that he found a substance that can dramatically enhance the functionality of commercial binders in Curdiea racovitzae, a red algae collected near the King Sejong Station in Antarctica, in collaboration with a team led by Professor Lee Jeongtae from Kyunghee University's Department of Converging Bio-Materials Engineering. The results of the study were published in the March edition of the international journal Materials Today.
Lithium-sulfur batteries are gaining attention as next-generation rechargeable batteries. They have a large capacity, can store more energy in a smaller space, and their raw materials are easily accessible. However, they face challenges in commercialization due to the degradation of sulfur's properties or the expansion of binders during the charging and discharging process.
Binders are key components that hold together the electrode materials and maintain electrical consolidation, determining the performance of rechargeable batteries. During the development of lithium-sulfur batteries, binders also play a crucial role in addressing the functionality and stability issues of sulfur.
The research team confirmed that utilizing the complex polysaccharide "CRP" isolated from red algae as a binder induces complex three-dimensional structures resembling ant nests, which enhance the performance and stability of lithium-sulfur batteries. Using CRP instead of conventional commercial binders improved battery capacity retention performance by 100%, and the porous structure shaped like ant nests can accommodate the internal volume expansion that occurs during the continuous charging and discharging of the battery, keeping the electrode's shape stable over long-term use.
The research team is proceeding with an international patent for this substance and is conducting follow-up research to secure mass cultivation technology and improve the efficiency of extracting candidate materials. They are also exploring whether similar performance materials can be found in domestic seaweeds.
Professor Lee Jeongtae said, "As battery usage continues to increase, the importance of sustainable raw materials is growing, so the development of rechargeable battery materials utilizing bio-materials will gain more attention in the future." Shin Hyungcheol, director of the Polar Research Institute, noted, "The challenge of wisely utilizing and preserving Antarctica will continue for South Korea's polar research."
References
Materials Today (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2025.01.006