The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has overcome the limitations of lithium-ion batteries and established the foundation for mass production of silicon and graphene composite cathode materials.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) announced on the 1st that its self-developed 'silicon/graphene composite cathode material' technology is attracting attention as a key technology that will change the landscape of the domestic secondary battery industry as mass production approaches.

This technology complements the shortcomings of silicon with graphene, enabling high capacity lithium-ion batteries. It was transferred to JNC Materials Co., Ltd. in 2021 for 1.1 billion won and is evaluated as a model case of technology commercialization by a research institute.

Silicon has an energy density 10 times higher than conventional graphite and has faster charging and discharging speeds, but it has the disadvantages of volume expansion and low conductivity.

KERI has developed a composite cathode material with a 'core-shell' structure that wraps silicon using electrochemically stable graphene.

Through this, the silicon content was increased by more than four times from the existing 5% to 20%, and performance was secured that can improve the driving range of electric vehicles by approximately 20%.

Additionally, we secured price competitiveness by using micron-sized silicon instead of expensive nano silicon.

KERI uses water-based dispersion technology and a one-step process.We have manufactured high-quality graphene in various forms and made it possible to directly apply it to the cathode manufacturing process.

Even after the technology transfer, KERI continued to cooperate with JNC Materials and provide technical guidance for commercialization.

JNC Materials, located in the Jecheon National Advanced Strategic Industry Secondary Battery Specialized Complex in North Chungcheong Province, successfully built and optimized Korea's first multi-ton graphene mass production facility last year.

The facility can produce enough batteries to power about 60,000 electric vehicles or hundreds of millions of smartphones.

KERI secured additional patents in the US and China, strengthening its technological rights. The research results were published in the international academic journal "Energy & Environmental Materials," demonstrating their commercialization potential and applicability. The paper attracted significant attention from both industry and academia, with an IF of 14.1 and ranking in the top 7%.

KERI Nano Convergence Research Center Director Jeong Seung-yeol said, “This technology is a commercialization technology based on high-functional nanomaterials, and has been recognized for both its technological perfection and practicality.” He added, “It is a successful case that has continued from the development of the original technology to mass production, and will serve as a model for the commercialization of government-funded research technologies.”

“Thanks to KERI’s innovative technology and close collaboration, we have achieved the significant achievement of mass production of graphene,” said Lee Chang-geun, CEO of JNC Materials. “We will continue to contribute to the development of Korea’s secondary battery industry.”