A South Korean research team has developed an anode-free lithium metal battery with a volumetric energy density of 1,270 watt-hours per liter nearly double the capacity of current electric vehicle batteries. The breakthrough could enable EVs to travel from Seoul to Busan and back on a single charge without increasing battery size or weight.
What’s NewThe joint team from POSTECH, KAIST, and Gyeongsang National University eliminated the conventional graphite anode entirely. Led by Professor Soojin Park and Dr. Dong-Yeob Han, the researchers published their findings in Advanced Materials on December 23, 2025.
In this design, lithium ions stored in the cathode deposit directly onto a copper current collector during charging. This approach frees up significant space previously occupied by graphite anodes, allowing for greater energy storage in the same volume. Current lithium-ion EV batteries typically deliver around 650 Wh/L.
The team validated the technology in pouch-type batteries under real-world conditions, using minimal electrolyte and low stack pressure. After 100 cycles under high current density, the battery retained 81.9% of its initial capacity with an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.6%.
Why It Matters
Battery capacity remains the primary limitation for EV adoption. Doubling energy density without increasing size or weight addresses two critical consumer concerns: range anxiety and vehicle weight.
This development could make long-distance EV travel practical without requiring larger, heavier battery packs. For automakers, it means either extending range significantly or reducing battery costs and weight while maintaining current ranges.
How They Solved the Dendrite Problem
Anode-free batteries have historically failed due to dendrite formation, sharp lithium structures that grow during charging and can pierce battery separators, causing dangerous short circuits.
The Korean team tackled this through two innovations:
- Reversible Host with silver nanoparticles guides uniform lithium deposition on the copper collector
- Designed Electrolyte forms a protective layer of lithium oxide and lithium nitride on the lithium surface
The electrolyte design uses commercially available solvents, which Professor Tae Kyung Lee notes can “achieve both high lithium-ion mobility and interfacial stability.”
What’s Next
The research was supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT. While laboratory and pouch-cell tests show promise, the technology requires further development before mass production.
The team has not announced commercialization timelines or industry partnerships. Scaling from laboratory prototypes to automotive-grade batteries typically takes several years and requires extensive safety testing and manufacturing process development.
The use of commercially available electrolyte components could accelerate industrial adoption compared to batteries requiring exotic materials.
Featured Snippet Boxes
What is an anode-free battery?
An anode-free battery eliminates the traditional graphite anode. Instead, lithium ions deposit directly onto a metal current collector during charging, freeing up space for more energy storage in the same volume.
How much more range could this give electric vehicles?
With nearly double the energy density (1,270 Wh/L vs. 650 Wh/L), EVs could theoretically achieve twice the current range. A vehicle with 300-mile range could potentially reach 600 miles on a single charge.
What was the main challenge with anode-free batteries before this?
Dendrite formation was the primary obstacle. Sharp lithium structures would grow during charging and pierce battery separators, causing short circuits and safety hazards. The Korean team solved this with specialized hosts and electrolytes.
When will this battery technology be available in cars?
No commercialization timeline has been announced. The technology was tested in laboratory conditions and requires further development, safety testing, and manufacturing scale-up before reaching production vehicles.
