LG Chem said on November 25 that it has developed a technique to uniformly control the particle size of solid electrolytes, a core component of all-solid-state batteries, with the findings published in Advanced Energy Materials. The company described the achievement as a step that strengthens the prospects for commercializing all-solid-state battery technology.
The development stems from joint research between LG Chem’s Next Generation Materials Research Institute and a team led by Professor Song Tae-sup at Hanyang University. All-solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolytes used in traditional lithium-ion systems with solid-state materials, offering safety advantages and higher energy density. However, inconsistent particle sizes have historically created voids inside cells, limiting performance.
See also: LG Chem Signs €2.2 Billion Cathode Material Supply Deal, Panasonic Reported as Likely Buyer
To resolve this issue, the teams applied spray recrystallization technology to the electrolyte manufacturing process. The method involves spraying an electrolyte solution into droplets that form uniform spherical particles as the solvent evaporates. This approach addresses the uneven particle sizes typically produced through conventional techniques.
LG Chem said the resulting uniform electrolyte improves adhesion to cathode active materials, allowing lithium ions to move more efficiently. Compared with cells using electrolytes made through standard processes, base capacity increased by about 15%, while high-rate discharge capacity—an important metric for high-power applications—rose by roughly 50%.
See also: SK IE Technology to Supply Battery Separator Films for 300,000 EVs to LG Chem
The company plans to build on this development to advance solid-electrolyte technologies and accelerate efforts toward commercializing all-solid-state batteries.
