Cathode materials are becoming increasingly important not only for enhancing battery performance but also for ensuring cost competitiveness. SAMSUNG SDI is actively responding to a diversified market by securing a wide range of cathode material technologies.

Focusing on prismatic batteries, SAMSUNG SDI has concentrated on cathode materials with high energy and density to develop premium batteries that offer both long driving range and safety. In particular, leveraging its proprietary technology, the company has achieved differentiated performance using high-nickel (High-Ni) NCA* materials with a nickel content up to 91%. 

* NCA : A cathode material composed of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) with nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al).

[SAMSUNG SDI’s premium battery with High-Ni NCA]

However, as securing cost competitiveness in batteries has become increasingly important, SAMSUNG SDI is actively responding to market demands by securing technologies beyond High-Ni NCA materials, such as mid-nickel (Mid-Ni) NCM* with a lower nickel content and LFP*.

* NCM : A cathode material composed of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) with nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn)

* LFP : A cathode material composed of lithium (Li), iron (Fe), and phosphate.

Mid-nickel NCM materials generally have lower output and poor performance at a low temperature. SAMSUNG SDI has optimized material design and processing conditions while securing technologies to minimize internal resistance. As a result, the company has developed high-capacity batteries using high-voltage Mid-Ni NCM materials. 

SAMSUNG SDI is also conducting R&D on processing technologies that enable thick* film technology in order to overcome low capacity and low density of LFP materials. 

* Thick film technology : A technology that increases energy output by stacking materials in thicker layers.

SAMSUNG SDI will continue its R&D efforts to secure differentiated competitiveness not only in the premium battery market but also in the mid- to low-end segments.