Quick Takeaways
- This breakthrough removes a key durability bottleneck in high-nickel EV batteries while boosting usable energy density.
- It positions SK On to lead the next wave of long-range, safer lithium-ion battery chemistries.
SK On single-crystal cathode materials reached a major scientific milestone after South Korea’s SK On Co. Ltd. confirmed the successful development of high-density, large-particle cathodes in collaboration with Seoul National University. The breakthrough strengthens lithium-ion battery life, stability, and energy density at the same time, addressing a long-standing limitation in today’s battery chemistry.
The research was formally published in Nature Energy and focused on overcoming the structural weaknesses of conventional cathode designs while unlocking higher performance for next-generation electric vehicle batteries.
Why SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials Matter
Most lithium-ion batteries currently rely on poly-crystal cathode materials, which consist of many small grains packed together. While widely used, these structures can crack during manufacturing or repeated charge-discharge cycles, triggering unwanted gas formation and performance degradation.
With SK On single-crystal cathode materials, this risk is significantly reduced because each particle is a single, continuous crystal with stronger structural integrity.
Key issues with poly-crystal cathodes include:
Single-crystal structures directly address these challenges by improving mechanical and chemical stability.
New Synthesis Method Behind SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials
To solve the long-standing challenge of growing large, stable single-crystal particles, SK On and Seoul National University created a new two-step synthesis approach.
The method works as follows:
This process allows the particles to grow larger and more uniform without losing their single-crystal stability, which was previously difficult to achieve.
Ultra-High-Nickel Performance Breakthrough
Using this new technique, the research team produced ultra-high-nickel single-crystal cathode materials with exceptional characteristics:
These technical gains are especially important for electric vehicles, where higher energy density translates directly into longer driving range and better durability.
What Comes Next for SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials
SK On and Seoul National University will continue joint research to further optimize this technology. Their next phase will explore combining single-crystal particles of different sizes in carefully controlled ratios to push energy density even higher.
This strategy aims to balance packing efficiency and ion transport, enabling lithium-ion batteries that are not only more powerful but also more reliable and longer lasting for automotive and energy-storage applications.
The research was formally published in Nature Energy and focused on overcoming the structural weaknesses of conventional cathode designs while unlocking higher performance for next-generation electric vehicle batteries.
Why SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials Matter
Most lithium-ion batteries currently rely on poly-crystal cathode materials, which consist of many small grains packed together. While widely used, these structures can crack during manufacturing or repeated charge-discharge cycles, triggering unwanted gas formation and performance degradation.
With SK On single-crystal cathode materials, this risk is significantly reduced because each particle is a single, continuous crystal with stronger structural integrity.
Key issues with poly-crystal cathodes include:
- Particle cracking during rolling and cycling
- Internal gas generation
- Faster capacity fade over time
- Reduced safety margins
Single-crystal structures directly address these challenges by improving mechanical and chemical stability.
New Synthesis Method Behind SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials
To solve the long-standing challenge of growing large, stable single-crystal particles, SK On and Seoul National University created a new two-step synthesis approach.
The method works as follows:
- Sodium-based single crystals are first grown in a controlled environment
- Lithium ions are then introduced through ion exchange, replacing sodium while preserving the crystal structure
This process allows the particles to grow larger and more uniform without losing their single-crystal stability, which was previously difficult to achieve.
Ultra-High-Nickel Performance Breakthrough
Using this new technique, the research team produced ultra-high-nickel single-crystal cathode materials with exceptional characteristics:
- Nickel content of 94 percent or higher
- Particle size of around 10 micrometers, roughly twice that of conventional cathodes
- No cation disorder, ensuring stable ion movement
- Higher energy density and longer cycle life
These technical gains are especially important for electric vehicles, where higher energy density translates directly into longer driving range and better durability.
What Comes Next for SK On Single-Crystal Cathode Materials
SK On and Seoul National University will continue joint research to further optimize this technology. Their next phase will explore combining single-crystal particles of different sizes in carefully controlled ratios to push energy density even higher.
This strategy aims to balance packing efficiency and ion transport, enabling lithium-ion batteries that are not only more powerful but also more reliable and longer lasting for automotive and energy-storage applications.
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