Imagine driving an electric vehicle from Seoul to Busan and back on a single charge, or no longer worrying about reduced battery performance during cold winters.
A new battery breakthrough from South Korean researchers suggests this future may be closer than expected.
A joint research team from POSTECH, KAIST, and Gyeongsang National University has developed an anode-free lithium metal battery with an energy density nearly twice that of today’s electric vehicle batteries.
Their study, published in Advanced Materials, shows that the new battery design can store far more energy in the same physical space, potentially allowing electric vehicles to travel much longer distances without increasing battery size.
Conventional lithium-ion batteries rely on both a cathode and an anode to store and move lithium ions.
In contrast, an anode-free battery removes the anode entirely.
Instead, lithium ions stored in the cathode move during charging and are deposited directly onto a thin copper layer.
By eliminating the anode, the battery frees up internal space, allowing more room for energy storage—similar to fitting more fuel into the same-sized tank.
This approach offers huge benefits, but it also introduces serious technical challenges. When lithium deposits unevenly, it can form sharp, needle-like structures called dendrites.
These dendrites can pierce internal battery layers, causing short circuits, safety risks, and rapid performance loss. Repeated charging can also damage the lithium surface, shortening the battery’s lifespan.
To overcome these problems, the research team developed a two-part solution. The first component is a “reversible host,” a polymer structure embedded with tiny silver nanoparticles.
This structure guides lithium to deposit evenly and in controlled locations, rather than randomly. In simple terms, it acts like a well-organized parking lot for lithium, ensuring smooth and uniform placement during charging.
The second component is a carefully designed electrolyte. This liquid forms a thin but strong protective layer on the lithium surface, made of stable compounds that prevent harmful reactions and dendrite growth.
At the same time, it allows lithium ions to move freely, maintaining fast and efficient charging.
Together, these innovations delivered impressive results. The battery achieved a volumetric energy density of 1,270 watt-hours per liter, nearly double the roughly 650 watt-hours per liter typical of current electric vehicle batteries. Even after 100 charge–discharge cycles, the battery retained more than 80 percent of its original capacity and showed extremely high efficiency.
Importantly, the researchers tested the technology not only in small lab cells but also in larger pouch-style batteries similar to those used in real electric vehicles. The batteries remained stable even with very small amounts of electrolyte and low internal pressure, both of which are important for reducing weight, cost, and manufacturing complexity.
The researchers say this work addresses two of the biggest challenges facing anode-free lithium metal batteries: safety and durability.
If successfully scaled up, the technology could significantly extend electric vehicle range, improve cold-weather performance, and accelerate the transition to more efficient, long-lasting batteries.
Source: KSR.
