Researchers at KAIST, Kyungpook National University and the National NanoFab Center have developed an anode-free lithium-metal battery design intended to improve how lithium is deposited during charging. The work could support smaller and lighter high-energy battery packs in the future, but it has not been demonstrated in a production electric vehicle.
Removing the conventional graphite anode
Most lithium-ion batteries use an anode, typically made from graphite, to store lithium when the battery is charged. In an anode-free battery, that material is removed. Instead, lithium is deposited directly onto a thin copper current collector during charging.
The potential advantage is that eliminating the anode can leave more of the cell available for energy storage. According to the researchers, this could make it possible to increase battery energy density without adding extra material. For electric vehicles, that could eventually mean using a smaller battery pack for a given amount of energy, or retaining the same pack size while increasing capacity.
However, anode-free lithium-metal batteries face a major durability challenge. Lithium does not always settle evenly on the copper collector. Repeated charging can lead to the growth of sharp lithium structures known as dendrites, which can damage the battery and shorten its operating life.
Microscopic copper structures increase deposition area
The research team used a semiconductor manufacturing process called secondary sputtering lithography to change the surface of the copper current collector. The process created tube-shaped structures measuring about 300 nanometres across and 150 nanometres high.
These microscopic features increase the area available for lithium deposition to around four times that of flat copper, according to the research. The larger surface is intended to help lithium spread more evenly during charging rather than accumulating in concentrated locations.
More uniform deposition is important because concentrated lithium build-up can contribute to dendrite formation. By guiding lithium across a larger structured surface, the approach is designed to reduce this problem and improve the lifespan of the cell over repeated charge cycles.
MXene coating is intended to limit unwanted reactions
The researchers also applied an ultra-thin MXene coating to the copper. The coating acts as a primer for a protective layer that forms as the battery operates. Its purpose is to reduce unwanted reactions between lithium and the electrolyte while also limiting dendrite growth.
Together, the structured copper collector and MXene coating are intended to address two connected issues for lithium-metal cells: uneven lithium deposition and the degradation that can result from reactions at the battery interface.
The researchers say the design could help accelerate the commercialisation of high-energy anode-free batteries by extending their lifespan without adding significant weight or volume. That remains a research-stage objective rather than a confirmed near-term vehicle application.
Potential for EV packs, but not yet a production technology
Higher energy density is particularly relevant to electric cars because battery packs account for substantial vehicle weight and packaging space. If an anode-free design can store more energy without making a battery larger or heavier, manufacturers could potentially use that gain to reduce pack size or increase driving range.
Still, the reported work does not establish that the technology is ready for automotive production. The research has not yet been demonstrated in a production EV, and the findings remain focused on battery-cell design and durability.
The results were published in Advanced Functional Materials on 1 September 2026. Further development will be needed before the anode-free lithium-metal approach can be assessed as a practical battery option for electric vehicles.
