LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University have secured key technology to significantly improve the stability of next-generation LMR (Lithium Manganese Rich) batteries.
On September 7, LG Energy Solution announced that it achieved research results that enhance the applicability of LMR batteries for large cells in electric vehicles through a joint study with Professor Lim Jong-woo's research team from the Department of Chemistry at Seoul National University.
This research has been recognized for its technical achievements and academic value, leading to its publication in the international journal 'Nature Communications.'
The joint research team identified the causes of gas emissions and capacity degradation during the charging and discharging processes of LMR batteries and developed optimal operating conditions for large cells to control these issues.
LMR batteries utilize inexpensive manganese as a primary material while also harnessing oxygen within the material for energy storage, achieving high energy density. However, if oxidized oxygen is not fully recovered during the discharging process, it can lead to structural damage and gas emissions within the battery. This has been considered a significant challenge for the commercialization of large cells in electric vehicles, where internal space is limited.
The research team discovered that the key variables affecting oxygen recovery are not only the upper charging voltage but also the lower discharging voltage. By lowering the upper charging voltage from 4.6V to 4.3V, the reduction rate of oxidized oxygen improved significantly from 86% to 97%. Additionally, when discharging was extended to 2.0V instead of the previous 3.0V, the oxygen was nearly restored to its original state.
Based on these analytical results, LG Energy Solution's researchers redesigned the operating voltage range and activation process conditions for 40Ah LMR large cells. They specifically applied a process to lower the temperature during the activation stage, effectively suppressing the gas emissions characteristic of large cells.
Professor Lim Jong-woo stated, "This research clarifies the causes of degradation in LMR batteries from the perspective of oxygen reversibility and demonstrates that cell stability can be improved solely through electrochemical protocol design. It confirms that both charging and discharging conditions must be comprehensively considered to ensure the long-term stability of LMR batteries."
An official from LG Energy Solution remarked, "This research effectively suppresses gas emissions, a major challenge for LMR batteries, ensuring stable battery life even in large cells. This achievement lays a crucial foundation for accelerating growth in the next-generation LMR battery market."
Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution is actively working to establish a collaborative R&D ecosystem by hosting the 4th Industry-Academia Cooperation Conference at its Daejeon Technology Research Institute, attended by over 90 professors and graduate students from more than 10 leading domestic universities, including Seoul National University and KAIST.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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