SK Nexilis, an investment company of SKC in the copper foil business for secondary batteries, said Tuesday that it has successfully developed 'high-bonding carbon-coated copper foil' technology, which is considered a core material for next-generation batteries.
High-bonding carbon-coated copper foil is a product that applies special carbon to the surface of the copper foil to enhance adhesion with the anode material. It is characterized by suppressing the 'delamination phenomenon,' where silicon anode materials expand during charging and discharging processes, causing them to separate from the copper foil, thereby improving the structural stability of the electrode. The company explained that this can also contribute to enhancing battery lifespan and safety.
SK Nexilis developed the related technology in line with the trend in the battery industry to increase the silicon content of anode materials to boost energy density. While silicon can store more lithium ions than conventional graphite, its significant volume change during charging and discharging processes is cited as a drawback. This is why adhesion between the anode material and copper foil becomes increasingly important as the silicon content rises.
High-bonding carbon-coated copper foil can also be applied to dry electrode processes, which are gaining attention as a manufacturing method for next-generation batteries. Unlike conventional wet processes that use liquid solvents, dry electrode processes can reduce steps such as drying, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and energy consumption. However, since it is crucial to stably bond electrode materials with copper foil, the utilization of high-adhesion copper foil is expected to expand.
SK Nexilis plans to build a pilot production system for high-bonding carbon-coated copper foil ahead of full-scale Yangsan. The company is currently verifying process stability and aims to commercialize in the second half of next year after securing Yangsan technology.
An official from SK Nexilis said, "We will proceed with commercialization optimization work without any issues while strengthening our competitiveness in the next-generation battery materials market through continuous technological development."
in INDUSTRY
