Cathode materials for high-performance Lithium-sulfur batteries

 Sulfur has a theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g⁻¹ and a theoretical energy density of 2570 Wh kg⁻¹, offering significantly higher energy-storage potential than conventional layered cathode materials. Unlike nickel and cobalt, sulfur is abundant, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive. For these reasons, lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising next-generation battery system.

 However, their commercialization is still limited by several challenges, including the low electrical conductivity of sulfur, polysulfide shuttle effect, poor sulfur utilization, and rapid capacity fading during cycling. Our group aims to overcome these limitations through the development and structural design of advanced cathode materials, with a particular focus on improving sulfur utilization and long-term cycling stability.

Commercially available ternary Lithium-ion batteries

 NCM is a widely used cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Each transition metal plays a distinct role: Ni provides high capacity and energy density, Co improves electronic conductivity and structural stability, and Mn contributes to thermal and structural stability. By controlling the Ni, Co, and Mn ratios, NCM materials can be optimized for specific battery applications. In particular, High-Ni NCM cathodes, such as NCM811 and higher-Ni compositions, are actively studied for high-energy-density batteries because of their high specific capacity and reduced cobalt content.

 However, increasing the Ni content can lead to challenges such as structural degradation, surface side reactions, gas generation, and reduced thermal stability. Therefore, strategies including surface coating, elemental doping, particle morphology control, and electrolyte optimization are widely investigated to improve the cycling stability and safety of Ni-rich NCM cathodes. 

Solvent-free (eco-friendly) Dry-process

 The dry electrode process is an emerging manufacturing technology for lithium-ion batteries that enables electrode fabrication without using conventional organic solvents. Unlike the conventional slurry-based process, active materials, conductive additives, and binders are directly mixed and formed into electrodes through mechanical processing and compression.

 By eliminating solvent-based mixing, drying, and solvent recovery steps, the dry process can significantly reduce energy consumption, manufacturing costs, and environmental impact. It also enables the fabrication of thick electrodes with high active-material loading, providing a promising approach toward batteries with higher energy density.

 However, achieving uniform dispersion of electrode components, controlling binder distribution, and maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and electrochemical performance remain important challenges. Our group focuses on developing advanced electrode materials, functional binder systems, and optimized dry-processing strategies to overcome these limitations and realize high-performance and sustainable battery manufacturing.