With the global trend of increasingly segmented consumer demands and stricter safety regulations for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, there is a clear demand for new battery solutions. Consequently, “cost reduction” and “safety enhancement” have emerged as the most critical tasks in current EV battery research.
In this episode of Game Changer Battery, we will explore the characteristics of the high-voltage mid-nickel battery, which is gaining attention as a battery that satisfies both price and safety conditions.
What is a Mid-nickel Battery?
NCM (LNCMO) ternary cathode batteries*, composed of nickel, cobalt, and manganese in varying ratios, are one of the most widely used batteries today. Mid-nickel batteries refer to NCM cathode batteries with a nickel (Ni) content ranging between 40% and 60%. If the nickel content in an NCM cathode battery is between 60% and 90%, it is classified as a “high-nickel battery.”
LG Energy Solution categorizes EVs into three segments: Premium, Standard, and Affordable and develops batteries tailored to each segment based on various criteria such as price, charging time, and driving range. Mid-nickel batteries are a representative product used in the Standard line. Given that the Standard line holds a significant share of the overall EV market, the importance of mid-nickel batteries is growing. Mid-nickel batteries reduce the proportion of nickel while increasing the proportions of cobalt and manganese, which contribute to safety, thus achieving both cost competitiveness and robust safety.
Characteristics of the Upgraded High-voltage Mid-nickel Batteries
The mid-nickel batteries currently under research, known as “high-voltage mid-nickel batteries,” differ significantly from the earlier versions of mid-nickel batteries that existed before the advent of high-nickel batteries. High-voltage mid-nickel batteries increase manganese content to enhance safety, maintaining a nickel content of 50% to 60%. The reduced energy capacity due to lower nickel content is compensated for by higher voltage, providing substantial advantages in terms of energy density*.
*Energy density = Voltage x Capacity (Current x Time) / Weight. High-voltage mid-nickel batteries offset the reduced capacity caused by lower nickel content by increasing voltage.
In addition to safety, another competitive edge of mid-nickel batteries is their cost. By lowering the content of expensive nickel and cobalt and increasing the proportion of cheaper manganese, the manufacturing cost is reduced. Furthermore, mid-nickel batteries can use lithium carbonate instead of lithium hydroxide, offering additional cost advantages. Since it is challenging to synthesize nickel with lithium at high temperatures, when the nickel content is high, lithium hydroxide, which has a lower melting point than lithium carbonate, is used. However, in mid-nickel batteries, the less expensive lithium carbonate can be utilized.
Single-crystal Cathodes: The Solution for High-voltage Mid-nickel Batteries
LG Energy Solution is conducting various types of research to develop a higher quality, high-voltage mid-nickel battery. While increasing voltage can enhance energy density, it may also cause cracks in the material, potentially shortening the battery’s lifespan.
To address this issue, “single-crystal cathode” technology is being researched. Unlike the commonly used poly-crystal cathodes, single-crystal cathodes consist of a material particle formed as a single crystal. This involves creating metal materials such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese used as cathodes in lithium-ion batteries into a single particle structure. In contrast, poly-crystal cathodes are composed of multiple crystals forming a particle.
Single-crystal cathode technology has the advantage of causing fewer cracks under high pressure, enabling the battery to withstand the high voltage of a high-voltage mid-nickel battery. Studies have shown that applying single-crystal cathode technology can improve energy capacity by about 10% and extend the lifespan by around 30% compared to poly-crystal cathodes.
LG Energy Solution is applying single-crystal cathode technology to produce high-quality, high-voltage mid-nickel batteries while controlling the active material reactions through coating processes.
Best Innovation Award at 2024 InterBattery Awards: LG Energy Solution’s Mid-nickel Pure NCM
In March, at the 2024 InterBattery Awards held at COEX in Seoul, LG Energy Solution’s “Mid-nickel Pure NCM” battery won the Best Innovation Award. The Mid-nickel Pure NCM, introduced by LG Energy Solution, is a laptop battery equipped with NCM613 material, which can operate at high voltage.
“NCM613” is a representative model among high-voltage mid-nickel batteries, composed of 60% of nickel, 10% of cobalt, and 30% of manganese. By utilizing single-crystal cathode material, the durability in high-voltage environments is secured. This development will further diversify LG Energy Solution’s battery lineup.
The Roadmap for LG Energy Solution’s High-voltage Mid-nickel Batteries
LG Energy Solution aims to start mass production of high-voltage mid-nickel NCM cathode batteries by 2025 to proactively respond to the global EV market trends. These batteries are expected to achieve an energy density of 670 Wh/L, with more than 30% greater cell stability and around 8% lower cost compared to high-nickel batteries. Additional research is planned to enhance the specifications further in the next-generation batteries.
We’ve explored the features of high-voltage mid-nickel batteries and LG Energy Solution’s plans. With LG Energy Solution’s innovative battery technology, it won’t be long before we see high-voltage mid-nickel batteries making waves in the market and leading the future. Keep an eye on LG Energy Solution’s ongoing research and development efforts as they continue to drive advancements in the battery industry!