Next-Generation Batteries Enabled by Interfacial Reprogramming

Misook Kang

Yeungnam University Department of Chemistry

In this seminar, the latest technological trends in the secondary battery industry, which has emerged as a core infrastructure for the global energy transition and AI-driven industrial expansion, will be introduced together with advanced interface design strategies for next-generation batteries. Recently, secondary batteries have rapidly expanded into key applications including electric vehicles, AI data centers, energy storage systems (ESS), robotics, and future mobility technologies. Accordingly, interface-engineered materials capable of simultaneously achieving high energy density, superior stability, and fast-charging capability have become increasingly important.

In the cathode materials section, studies on LiFePO₄ (LFP) and Li-rich layered oxide (LLO) cathodes will be presented, focusing on strategies to overcome structural instability and interfacial degradation during repeated charge–discharge cycling. In particular, for LFP cathodes, an Al–F–C interfacial reprogramming strategy that dynamically constructs a cathode–electrolyte interphase (CEI) is introduced to enhance Li⁺ transport and charge-transfer characteristics. In addition, for LLO cathodes, a fluorinated AlPO₄-based interface engineering approach is discussed, which mitigates structural collapse and voltage fading associated with oxygen redox activation while simultaneously stabilizing Li⁺ migration pathways and structural reversibility.

In the anode materials section, Li⁺ transport bottlenecks and structural degradation issues in graphite- and silicon-based anodes are discussed. First, a double-layer carbon strategy employing a C–N stitched rGO/graphite bilayer structure is introduced, where Li⁺ adsorption–migration–diffusion processes are actively regulated to improve Li⁺ diffusion kinetics and interfacial charge modulation. Furthermore, for silicon anodes, an adaptive graphene encapsulation structure is presented as a muscle-like self-protective carbon interface capable of alleviating the severe volume expansion and interfacial collapse that occur during repeated cycling.

For next-generation all-solid-state batteries, interfacial stabilization strategies are introduced to address interfacial decomposition and resistance growth occurring between argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes and Ni-rich NCM811 cathodes. In particular, a halogen-programmed Li₃PO₄-based buffer coating is discussed, which forms a self-adaptive interface capable of simultaneously improving Li⁺ transport stability and interfacial durability. In addition, a next-generation organic–inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte platform based on a PEO-derived flexible oxysulfate hybrid electrolyte is presented, designed to alleviate both the strong stack-pressure dependence and moisture sensitivity commonly associated with sulfide-based solid-state batteries.

In conclusion, this seminar emphasizes that the fundamental bottleneck governing battery performance lies not simply in the intrinsic properties of materials themselves, but rather in the control of interfaces and Li⁺ transport. Based on atomic- and nanoscale interfacial engineering, future directions toward simultaneously realizing high energy density, excellent stability, and fast-charging capability in next-generation secondary batteries will be discussed.

* 졸업논문 교과목 수강자 세미나 필수 참석 안내
석사, 석박통합, 박사과정이 수강하는 <졸업논문연구학점 1~6>수강자는 학과에서 개최하는 목요일 정규세미나에 반드시 참석해야함.

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