<2025> Patent Report: Next-Generation Si-Anode Material Beyond Volume Expansion
The global technology trends and market outlook for silicon-based anode materials are emerging as a critical R&D focus, driven by the rapidly growing demand for high-energy-density batteries. In particular, patent analysis centered on SiO-SiC composite anode technologies highlights the increasing potential of silicon-based anode materials to overcome the limitations of graphite-based materials and support the development of next-generation energy storage systems.
The need for patent analysis on
silicon-based anode materials can largely be explained in three aspects.
First, the protection of intellectual
property rights and the securing of technological leadership serve as important
drivers. Considering the unique nature of silicon-based anodes—having higher
theoretical capacity than conventional graphite while needing to address the
issue of expansion during repeated charge-discharge cycles—companies must file
more detailed patents to understand the technological directions of competitors
and protect their own innovations. In particular, the rapid increase in patent
applications related to silicon-based composite anodes in countries such as the
U.S., China, and Korea heightens the possibility of companies becoming involved
in intellectual property disputes.
Second, companies need to analyze essential
patents in order to identify potential patent disputes or issues in advance.
Lastly, the expiration of key patents and
how to effectively utilize the resulting gaps remain critical challenges. If
SiO-based patents dominate major markets, companies will need to develop
SiC-based composite structures or new surface coating technologies.
The background behind the rise of silicon
anode technology can first be attributed to the rapid increase in demand for
high-energy-density batteries aimed at extending electric vehicle driving
range. As the EV market has grown rapidly, the need for longer driving
distances per charge at the cell level has intensified. Accordingly, improving
battery capacity has become a core competitive factor, and silicon-based anode
materials—with a theoretical capacity nearly 10 times that of graphite—have
emerged as a strong alternative.
In this process, structural evolution of
the materials has also progressed noticeably. While SiO-based composites were
initially mainstream in the industry, SiC-based composites, with advantages in
electrical conductivity and structural stability, have recently gained
prominence. Reflecting this trend, research has been actively shifting from
conventional “core–shell” approaches that coat or combine silicon, toward “yolk–shell”
structures that can effectively absorb silicon expansion.
In addition, as China takes the lead in
strengthening material localization strategies, Korean and Japanese companies
are also beginning preparations to produce and procure silicon anode materials
independently.
Lastly, a closer look at the patent
analysis and technological development trends of silicon anode materials
reveals that the core patent application areas can largely be divided into
composite structure design and mass production processes. In the area of
composite structure design, key themes include SiC-SiO, Si/C, and Si@C
structural systems, as well as the development of porous architectures. Korean
companies such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are actively filing
patents related to composite structure design and interfacial stabilization
technologies, thereby expanding methodologies for implementing
high-energy-density batteries. Japan’s Shin-Etsu, leveraging its expertise in
Si-based material synthesis and surface modification (Si/C coating), is
focusing on improving the quality and yield of silicon-based anode materials.
Ultimately, patent analysis of silicon-based anode
materials goes beyond merely assessing the current state of technology—it
serves as a foundational effort that will shape the core competitiveness of the
secondary battery industry in the future. Through this, companies can not only
systematically protect their own technologies, but also establish a platform
for leading continuous innovation in a rapidly evolving market.
Source: SNE Research, <2025> Patent Report: Next-Generation
Si-Anode Material Beyond Volume Expansion, Valid Patent Count (Noise-Filtered)
Strong Points of This Report
1. Provides a multifaceted analysis of the
current status of patent applications and competitor technology strategies for
silicon-based anode materials as alternatives to graphite.
2. Compares and summarizes patent trends by
major countries, including the United States, China, South Korea, and Japan.
3. Outlines the latest R&D trends
shifting from SiO-based composites to SiC composites and yolk–shell structures,
allowing readers to grasp changes in market trends at a glance.
4. Includes patent comparisons by company
(e.g., BTR, BYD, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, Shin-Etsu).
5. Covers a wide range of silicon-based anode technologies applicable to the entire battery industry—including EV batteries and ESS—making it broadly useful for material companies, battery manufacturers, and related research institutions.
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Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Analysis Background and Purpose
1.2 Overview of Silicon Anode Materials
1.2.1 Structures of Silicon Anode Materials
1.2.2 Si/SiO/SiC
1.2.3 Disadvantages of Silicon Anode
Materials
1.3 Power generation history of Silicon
Anode materials
1.3.1 Solution to the Shortcomings of
Silicon Anode Materials
1.4 Patent Scope and Investigation Method
2. Introduction to Patent Application
Trends
2.1 Raw Data / Valid Patent Selection
2.2 Trends in patent applications by year
2.3 Trends of Applicants by Country
2.4 Technology growth stage
2.5 Major National Applications Trends
2.6 Key applicant application trends
3. Investigation of key patents
3.1 Key patent list and technology
classification
3.2 Identifying Key Patent Trends
3.3 Transfer, Introduction of Dispute
Patents
4. Conclusion & Appendix
4.1 Key Patents
4.1.1 Sila
4.1.2 GROUP14
4.1.3 Shenzhen
4.1.4
Resonac
4.1.5
ENEVATE
4.1.6
Stanford
4.1.7 Large Kettle
4.1.8
Shin-Etsu
4.1.9
BTR
4.1.10 LG Chemical Co., Ltd
4.1.11 SDI
4.2 Conclusions and Implications
4.3 Appendix 1. List of Key Patent Points