LG Energy Solution is coming a step closer in commercializing next-generation batteries. Significant progress has been made in 'pure silicon' technology, which has improved capacity dramatically compared to existing anode materials.
LG Energy Solution is expected to develop a pure silicon prototype for EVs, and begin a full-scale performance test according to the industry on the 8th.
An industry insider aware of the matter said, “I know that the company has developed pure silicon technology that no longer requires any improvement. The company plans to proceed with the evaluation of the prototype.”
Pure Silicon refers to an anode material made of pure silicon. Graphite is currently used as the main raw material for anode materials for secondary batteries; however, silicon is able to store 10 times more energy than graphite. Hence, there are efforts to replace the material with silicon. Expanding the battery capacity allows the driving range of EVs can be increased, and there are plenty of resources for battery charging.
However, there was a disadvantage in using silicon because silicon contains more lithium ions than graphite which was more likely to expand in size. As a result, its usage was very limited even when silicon was used as an anode material. The fact that LG Energy Solution developed and planned to test pure silicon prototypes is interpreted as the company achieving significant technological improvements.
Image of Silicon (Photo = LG Energy Solution)>
By reducing the size of silicon to the current minimum level of 5 micrometers (㎛), LG Energy Solution solved this problem. The silicon will be able to contribute in not only improving performance but also in reducing the volume of the battery. This will improve long-distance driving and charging performance once it commercializes, as well as securing battery price competitiveness by using silicon, which is cheaper than graphite.
LG Energy Solution is cooperating with domestic and foreign material companies to improve the performance of pure silicon. It is in the process of developing by collaborating with companies such as silicon material companies that make nanoparticles, and conductive material and binder companies, which are used as additive materials for silicon. The establishment of a preliminary supply chain to mount pure silicon batteries in future EVs has begun.
Pure silicon caught the market's attention when Tesla mentioned its plans to apply the silicon at an event (Battery Day) to introduce EV battery technology in 2020. Tesla has announced that it will install pure silicon anode materials, high-nickel batteries with more than 90% nickel, and high-manganese batteries that provide excellent price competitiveness in its EVs. Hak-cheol Shin, vice chairman of LG Chem, the parent company of LG Energy Solution, introduced pure silicon development as a key task in a growth strategy during the announcement in last February.
By Staff Reporter Ji-woong Kim (jw0316@etnews.com)