LG Energy Solution and Seoul National University researchers identified specific operating conditions to suppress gas generation in lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights that oxygen redox recovery is tied to both charge and discharge voltage limits.
The team discovered that reducing the upper charging voltage from 4.6 V to 4.3 V increased oxygen reduction from 86% to 97%. Additionally, lowering the discharge cutoff from 3.0 V to 2.0 V significantly improved oxygen recovery, preventing internal pressure buildup in large-format cells.
By redesigning the voltage range and formation process for 40 Ah-class LMR cells, the researchers achieved 92.2% energy retention after 883 cycles. This optimization process included a lower-temperature formation step to further minimize gas production.
LMR cathodes utilize manganese instead of cobalt to reduce material costs. LG Energy Solution is currently collaborating with General Motors on the development of LMR prismatic cells, with plans to initiate production in the United States by 2028.
