LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University Advance LMR Battery Commercialization
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LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University have made significant strides in advancing the commercialization of lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, a next-generation cathode material that could revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) market.
The joint research team, led by Professor Jongwoo Lim from Seoul National University’s Department of Chemistry, has developed a technology that suppresses gas evolution, a major challenge in the commercialization of LMR batteries. This breakthrough was published in the prestigious international journal Nature Communications.
The research focused on optimizing 40 Ah-class large-format cells, which are commonly used in EVs. The cells, after being subjected to rigorous testing, retained 92.2 percent of their initial energy after 883 charge and discharge cycles. This outstanding cycle-life stability opens the door for LMR batteries to be used in large-format cells, a significant step toward commercialization.
Gas generation during the charging and discharging process of LMR batteries has been a critical issue. If the oxygen oxidized during charging does not fully revert to its original state during discharge, it can damage the battery’s internal structure and produce gas. This gas can increase internal pressure, leading to performance degradation. For large-format cells, which have limited internal space, this issue is particularly pressing.
The joint research team identified the factors contributing to gas generation and capacity degradation during LMR battery operation. They discovered that the recovery of oxidized oxygen depends on both the upper cutoff voltage during charging and the discharge cutoff voltage during discharge. By lowering the upper charging voltage from 4.6 V to 4.3 V, the team achieved an 86 percent reduction in oxidized oxygen. Additionally, lowering the discharge cutoff voltage from 3.0 V to 2.0 V allowed the oxygen to nearly fully recover.
LG Energy Solution researchers then redesigned the operating voltage range and formation process conditions for the 40 Ah-class large-format LMR cells. They applied a lower-temperature formation process to effectively suppress gas generation associated with large-format cells. This optimization resulted in the cells retaining 92.2 percent of their initial energy even after 883 charge and discharge cycles.
"By addressing the key challenges of LMR batteries from the perspective of oxygen reversibility, we have demonstrated that cell stability can be significantly improved through electrochemical protocol design," said Professor Lim. "This research paves the way for the commercialization of LMR batteries in large-format cells for EVs."
"This study identifies one of the critical factors in stabilizing LMR batteries and confirms that stable battery life can be secured even in large-format cells by effectively suppressing gas generation," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. "This is an important foundation for the growth of the next-generation LMR battery market."
LG Energy Solution, a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems, has been at the forefront of battery technology development. With over 100,000 patents and a robust global network, the company is committed to building a sustainable battery ecosystem and achieving carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050.