KRICT unveils dry thick cathode that boosts battery capacity dramatically

A research group at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has developed a new dry thick cathode technology that promises higher-energy batteries without enlarging their size or weight. Senior researchers Moon San and Suk Jung-don added porous graphitic carbon nitride to the cathode, a first-one outlet use that facilitates deeper electrolyte penetration and eases lithium-ion entry. The additive cuts the activation energy for ion movement from 49.8 to 22.1 kilojoules per mole, a 56% reduction.

With just 0.5% of the additive, the electrode achieved a 166% capacity increase during rapid discharge and a power density boost of up to 2.85 times. The findings were featured as the cover article of the August issue of Exploration, with post-master’s researcher Eun Hye-ji listed as first author. KRICT President Shin Seok-min highlighted the technology’s relevance for electric vehicles, grid storage and robotics, pending large-scale production validation.