A domestic research team has developed a NANO particle electrolyte to improve the lifespan of lithium metal batteries. Lithium metal batteries use lithium metal as the anode. Lithium metal is attracting attention as a next-generation battery due to its high energy density, but there is a challenge that its lifespan needs to be extended for commercialization.
The National Research Foundation of Korea announced on the 10th that a research team led by Professors Jinwoo Lee and Namsun Choi from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), along with Professor Taekyung Lee from Gyeongsang National University, has jointly developed a NANO particle electrolyte to improve the low lifespan of lithium batteries. The research team explained that this NANO particle electrolyte allows for fast charging and discharging of lithium metal batteries while also enhancing voltage performance.
To maintain a high energy density in lithium metal batteries, the ratio of the anode to cathode must be adjusted. However, there has been a limitation where the lifespan of lithium metal batteries decreased under this condition. There was also the issue that lithium metal batteries easily corroded at high voltages.
In the past, to improve the lifespan of lithium metal batteries, high-fluorine components were added to the electrolyte, which serves as the passage for lithium ions. This method was problematic due to its high cost and environmental pollution. There were also cases when the key performance of lithium metal batteries degraded.
The joint research team developed a NANO particle electrolyte that improves lifespan while maintaining the key performance of lithium metal batteries. By adding non-fluorinated NANO silicon nitride to the electrolyte, they precisely adjusted the solvation structure of lithium ions, ensuring that lithium ions remain stable in the liquid. They also created a solid electrolyte interphase layer that is rich in inorganic materials and stable. The solid electrolyte interphase layer acts as a thin protective barrier that protects lithium metal from reacting with the electrolyte.
The research team explained that, with this method, lithium metal batteries can maintain performance and improve lifespan even in high energy density, fast charging and discharging, and high-voltage environments. Professor Jinwoo Lee said, "We realized multifunctionality in a single non-fluorinated additive and confirmed the NANO particle electrolyte in pouch-type batteries for the first time."
This technology can be utilized in electric vehicle batteries and aerospace batteries. This research was published in the energy journal "Energy & Environmental Science" in February.
References
Energy & Environmental Science (2025), DOI : https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee03862b