GIST Research Team Improves Performance of High-Capacity Silicon Anodes

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] The research team of Professor Kim Hyung-jin from the Graduate School of Energy Convergence and Professor Jeong Seong-ho from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced on the 25th that they have improved the performance and durability of silicon anodes, which are attracting attention as next-generation lithium secondary battery anodes.

Silicon anodes are the technology closest to commercialization among existing next-generation anodes, with a theoretical capacity of up to 4200 mAh/g per unit weight, making them ultra-high capacity next-generation anodes with more than 10 times the theoretical capacity of conventional graphite commercial anodes.

The research team introduced nanosecond laser surface processing technology to the silicon electrode surface for the first time and succeeded in securing continuous performance durability by reducing mechanical stress during the charge-discharge process.

Silicon anodes are attracting attention as next-generation anodes to replace graphite anodes because they not only have more than 10 times the theoretical energy density of conventional graphite commercial anodes but are also economical and environmentally friendly materials.

They can be used in medium to large energy storage systems requiring high energy density and power density, such as large-capacity energy storage systems (ESS) and electric vehicles, leading to fierce competition worldwide for development.

However, the non-conductive nature of silicon and the low lifespan caused by silicon's volume expansion during the charge-discharge process act as obstacles to commercialization.

Recently, material research to improve the performance of silicon anodes has been underway, but for more practical performance enhancement, research on technologies with low production costs and mass production capability is necessary.

There is a lack of research on practical and mass-producible technologies for the commercialization of silicon anodes.

The research team succeeded in reducing mechanical stress on the silicon surface occurring during the charge-discharge process by structuring the silicon electrode surface using nanosecond laser processing technology.

The nanosecond laser technology applied to the silicon electrode surface treatment has the advantage of processing a wide area of 1 square centimeter within 5 seconds, compared to existing technologies that process narrow widths of several tens of micrometers (μm).

Through this, the electrode processing speed increased by about 60 times compared to existing laser processing technologies, confirming high mass production potential.

Professor Kim Hyung-jin said, “This research particularly focuses on the convergence of battery electrode manufacturing technology and laser processing technology,” adding, “Although lasers have been used in electrode cutting and metal bonding processes in battery manufacturing so far, we hope that applying short-time surface processing to mass production will contribute to improving the performance of lithium secondary batteries.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.