<2024> LIB Electrolyte Li-salts, Additives Technology Trends & Market Outlook

Electrolyte is one of the 4 major materials of lithium-ion secondary batteries. It is largely composed of solvents, lithium salts, and additives.

In general, the important characteristics required for organic electrolytes for lithium-ion secondary batteries are lithium-ion conductivity and electrochemical stability. Therefore, regardless of the electrode used, an electrolyte with excellent lithium-ion mobility and no serious electrochemical decomposition reaction within the battery operating potential range must be used to secure excellent battery performance.

In lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium salts are the main components of the electrolyte and play an important role in determining the performance and stability of the battery. Lithium salts secure the conductivity of lithium ions and act as a medium that effectively transfers charges within the battery. Representative lithium salts include lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiTFSI), and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI). LiPF6 is widely used due to its high conductivity and stability at low temperatures, but its thermal instability at high temperatures and side effects due to hydrolysis are pointed out as problems.

As an alternative, lithium salts such as LiFSI are being studied, which offer excellent conductivity and thermal stability. LiFSI shows particularly superior chemical and thermal stability than LiPF6, and is characterized by high ionic conductivity and low electrical resistance. In addition, LiFSI provides low viscosity and excellent electrochemical stability, contributing to improving the lifespan and safety of batteries. However, it also has disadvantages such as manufacturing cost and corrosiveness, so an appropriate combination is the key to improving battery performance and safety.

Additives play an important role in improving the performance of electrolytes in lithium-ion secondary batteries. Additives are mainly used to improve the stability, conductivity, and interfacial properties of electrolytes. For example, additives that promote the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) contribute to improving the life and stability of the battery. Representative additives include fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and vinylene carbonate (VC), which form an SEI layer to enhance the stability of the anode. In addition, sulfide-based additives improve the stability of the cathode, thereby enhancing performance at high voltages.

Recent studies have been developing various new additives, and efforts are being made to optimize battery performance through their combination. For example, certain additives used with LiFSI can widen the electrochemical window of the electrolyte and extend the cycle life while maintaining high energy density. The synergy with these additives is a key factor in improving various performance indicators of lithium-ion secondary batteries, such as energy density, cycle life, and safety. The innovative combination of LiFSI and additives will play an important role in accelerating the commercialization of next-generation high-performance lithium-ion secondary batteries.

Lithium salts and additives, which play a key role in electrolytes, were mostly supplied by Japanese companies in the past, but the landscape has changed as Chinese companies have significantly expanded their production capacity. In the case of LiPF6, the most commonly used general-purpose lithium salt, only a few companies, including Stella Chemifa, Morita, and Kanto Denka in Japan and Hoosung in Korea, could supply battery-quality products in the past, but in the past, large companies such as Tinci Materials and DFD have become absolute powerhouses in the current market through the development of lithium salt technology and expansion of production capacity. In the case of special lithium salts (such as LiFSI) and additives, companies that held original patents, such as Mitsubishi Chemical, Central Glass, and Nippon Shokubai in Japan, almost monopolized the market, but currently, Cheonbo in Korea and HSC and Genyuan in China are continuously increasing their market share based on bypass patents or their own technologies.

In this report, we have organized in detail the technical information on lithium salts and additives, which are the most essential components of lithium-ion secondary battery electrolytes, and have provided a multi-faceted outlook on the market for lithium salts and additives based on our various outlook data to help readers understand the overall market situation.

Finally, we have tried to provide researchers and interested parties in this field with a wide range of insights from technology to market by summarizing the business status and future plans of major lithium salt and additive manufacturers.

Strong points of this report:

• 1. Includes detailed technical information on the main characteristics and applications of lithium salts and additives
• 2. Provides objective data through market outlook based on our forecast and various data
• 3. Understands the main supply status and outlook of the lithium salt and additives market
• 4. Includes detailed information on the products and production status of major players in Korea, China, and Japan