South Korean researchers develop stable, high-energy-density lithium-ion battery for fast charging of electric vehicles

According to foreign media reports, a Korean research team has developed a core technology to partially coat the surface of lithium-ion battery anodes with aluminum oxide particles, which can ensure that lithium-ion batteries maintain charge and discharge stability and extend battery life under fast charging conditions. The relevant research results have been published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Image source: KERI

An important prerequisite for the popularization of electric vehicles (EVs) is to improve the driving range and safety of lithium-ion batteries. Fast charging is also crucial for user convenience. However, increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries requires thicker electrodes, which may lead to battery degradation and performance loss during fast charging.

To solve this problem, a team from the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has developed a solution by partially coating the surface of the lithium-ion battery anode with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles smaller than 1 micron. While many researchers around the world have focused on studying the materials inside the electrode, such as introducing functional nanotechnology in anode materials such as graphite, Dr. Choi's team used a simple processing technique, namely coating the electrode surface with aluminum oxide.