The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), led by Director Shin Hyung Cheol, announced on Thursday that it has discovered a promising key material in Antarctica for developing lithium-sulfur batteries, a next-generation energy storage solution.
Lithium-sulfur batteries are garnering attention as a potential breakthrough in the renewable energy sector. They boast a higher theoretical capacity, allowing for greater efficiency in compact designs, and rely on more abundant raw materials. However, the technology faces significant hurdles, particularly the instability of sulfur properties and electrode expansion during charge- discharge cycles, which have hampered development efforts.
Binders are crucial to battery performance, holding electrode materials together and maintaining electrical conductivity. Lithium-sulfur batteries are essential for addressing sulfur’s reactivity and stability issues.
In a pioneering discovery, a joint research team led by Dr. Yoon Euijung from KOPRI and Professor Lee Jeong Tae from Kyung Hee University’s International Campus has identified a substance from the Antarctic red algae Curdiea racovitzae, collected near the Sejong Station, that could significantly enhance binder performance.
Simulations reveal that using the complex polysaccharide CRP (Curdiea racovitzae Polymer) extracted from this red algae as a binder creates an intricate 3D network resembling an ant colony. This unique structure improves durability and stability in lithium-sulfur batteries.
The researchers found that replacing commercial binders with CRP lithium-sulfur batteries improved capacity retention by 100%. The team explains that the porous, ant colony-like structure can accommodate internal volume fluctuations during charge- discharge cycles, maintaining electrode stability even after extended use.
Looking ahead, the joint research team is focusing on commercialization efforts. This includes developing large-scale cultivation techniques, improving the extraction efficiency of candidate materials, and exploring similar native seaweed species.
This groundbreaking research, supported by KOPRI, the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, and the National Research Foundation of Korea, has been published in the prestigious journal Materials Today. An international patent application is also underway.
Shin emphasized the potential of Antarctic organisms, stating, “The extreme environment of Antarctica has produced life forms that offer humanity more than just scientific curiosity.” He added, “South Korea’s polar research will continue to face the challenge of wisely utilizing and preserving Antarctica for the benefit of all.”