Kosmotropic aqueous processing solution for green lithium battery cathode manufacturing

Jung-Hui Kim, Won-Yeong Kim, Sebin Kim, Jeongdong Kim, Seok-Ju Lee, Namjun Park, Sun-Phil Han, Kun Ryu, Junghwan Kim (), Won Bo Lee () and Sang-Young Lee ()
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Jung-Hui Kim: Yonsei University
Won-Yeong Kim: Yonsei University
Sebin Kim: Seoul National University
Jeongdong Kim: Yonsei University
Seok-Ju Lee: Yonsei University
Namjun Park: Seoul National University
Sun-Phil Han: Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
Kun Ryu: The University of Chicago
Junghwan Kim: Yonsei University
Won Bo Lee: Seoul National University
Sang-Young Lee: Yonsei University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract The global pursuit of carbon neutrality is driving efforts toward environmentally friendly aqueous electrode manufacturing. However, the inherent chemical reactivity of water with cathode materials remains a challenge to achieving this goal. Here, we design a class of aqueous processing solutions based on the kosmotropic effect. Ion hydration shells in the kosmotropic solutions are restructured to form an ordered state of anion–water clusters and to stabilize local hydration structure adjacent to cathode materials. Consequently, interfacial side reactions and structural degradation of Ni-rich cathode materials are mitigated. The kosmotropic solution-processed LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode achieve high specific and areal capacities (≥ 205 mAh g–1 and ≥ 3.7 mAh cm–2) together with stable cyclability, which are comparable to those of commercial N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)-processed cathodes. Techno-economic analysis demonstrates that this kosmotropic solution approach reduces energy consumption in battery manufacturing by 46% compared to the NMP-based process, highlighting its practical and sustainable viability.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56831-9

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