Lotte Chemical Develops Korea's First Solid-State Battery Material to Suppress 'Dendrite'

Polymer-Based Solid Electrolyte
Separator Coating Material Manufacturing Technology
Applied to Existing Processes... Investment Cost Reduction

Lotte Chemical has become the first in Korea to develop a functional material that suppresses the 'Dendrite' phenomenon by coating the separator of solid electrolyte-based batteries such as all-solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries. Dendrites refer to sharp, branch-like crystals that form on the surface of the anode during the charging process of lithium-ion batteries. They are considered a major cause of reduced battery lifespan and safety.

On the 28th, Lotte Chemical announced that it has developed the polymer-based solid electrolyte separator coating material manufacturing technology, which solves the instability of lithium metal anodes used in next-generation all-solid-state and semi-solid-state lithium metal batteries, for the first time in Korea, and has completed domestic patent application. Semi-solid and all-solid-state lithium metal batteries are regarded as 'next-generation batteries' due to their higher energy density and stability compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

The core of the newly applied technology is improving lithium-ion flow by coating a functional material on the lithium metal battery separator to suppress the dendrite phenomenon, thereby enhancing the durability of lithium metal batteries. This enables securing the long-term stability and durability of lithium metal anodes, showing a capacity retention rate of over 90% after 500 cycles, which is expected to improve durability by more than 30% compared to separators without coating.

This technology can be directly used with existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities, reducing investment costs when establishing production facilities for next-generation semi-solid and all-solid-state lithium metal batteries. Lotte Chemical developed this technology about two years after investing in the U.S. startup 'SOELECT' specializing in lithium metal anode materials and signing a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) in 2021.

Lithium metal battery with a separator coating material based on Lotte Chemical's polymer-based solid electrolyte [Photo by Lotte Chemical]

Lotte Chemical is currently conducting tests for technology application with domestic and international lithium metal battery-related companies and universities, and plans to establish additional cooperative relationships with specialized research institutions. The company aims to pioneer markets where lithium metal anodes can be applied and contribute to accelerating the commercialization of lithium metal batteries.

Hwang Min-jae, Head of the Institute of Technology at Lotte Chemical, said, "We will quickly secure core battery technologies through Lotte Chemical’s future materials technology," adding, "We will actively target the global battery materials market and lead the related markets."

Cho Sung-jin, CEO of SOELECT, stated, "Through joint development with Lotte Chemical, we have developed polymer electrolytes and related materials and process technologies to improve the lifespan characteristics of high-capacity lithium metal anodes," and added, "We will accelerate the commercialization of highly stable lithium metal batteries through various collaborations in the future."

Last year, Lotte Chemical established the 'Battery Materials Business Unit' and has been actively expanding its battery materials business capabilities as part of its new growth engines. In the second half of this year, it is preparing for the mechanical completion of production facilities for high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), organic solvents for electric vehicle battery electrolytes, at its Daesan plant in Chungnam.

Lotte Chemical plans to grow into a core company in the global supply chain connecting electric vehicles, batteries, and materials through systematic and proactive investment and nurturing in preparation for the increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles and the expansion of renewable energy.