• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2018

To maximize the areal capacity($mAh\;cm^{-2}$) of $LiNi_{0.5}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.3}O_2$(NCM523) electrode with the same loading level of $15mg\;cm^{-2}$, three NCM523 electrodes with 4, 2, and 1 wt% poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVdF) binder content are fabricated. Due to the delamination issue of electrode composite at the edge during punching process, the 1 wt% electrode is excluded for further evaluation. When the PVdF binder content decreases from 4 to 2 wt%, both adhesion strength and shear stress decrease from 0.4846 to $0.2627kN\;m^{-1}$ by -46% and from 3.847 to 2.013 MPa by -48%, respectively. Regardless of these substantial decline of mechanical properties, their initial electrochemical properties such as initial coulombic efficiency and voltage profile are almost the same. However, owing to high loading level, the 2 wt% electrode not only exhibits worse cycle performance than the 4 wt% electrode, but also cannot maintain its mechanical integrity only after 80 cycles. Therefore, if the binder content is reduced to increase the area capacity, the mechanical properties as well as the cycle performance must be carefully evaluated.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2006

Si-C composites were prepared by the carbonization of silicon powder covered by polyaniline(PAn). Physical and electrochemical properties of the Si-C composites were characterized by the particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscope, and electrochemical test of battery. The average particle size of the Si was increased by the coating of PAn and somewhat reduced by the carbonization to give silicone-carbon composites. XRD analysis' results were confirmed co-existence of crystalline silicon and amorphous-like carbon. SEM photos showed that the silicon particle were well covered with carbonacious materials depend on the PAn content. Si-C|Li cells were fabricated using the Si-C composites and were tested using the galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Si-C|Li cells gave better electrochemical properties than that of Si|Li cell. Si-C|Li cell using the Si-C from HCl undoped PAn Precursor showed better electrochemical properties than that from HCl doped PAn Precursor. Using the electrolyte containing FEC as an additive, the initial discharge capacity was increased. After that the galvanostatic charge-discharge test with the GISOC(gradual increasing of the state of charge) condition was carried out. Si-C(Si:PAn:50:50 wt. ratio)|Li cell showed 414 mAh/g of the reversible specific capacity, 75.7% of IIE(initial intercalation efficiency), 35.4 mAh/g of IICs(surface irreversible specific capacity).

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.718-724
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• 2018

In this study, the $Ni_{0.9}Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.05}(OH)_2$ precursor was prepared by the concentration gradient co-precipitation method. In order to overcome the structural change due to oxygen desorption in the cathode active material with high nickel content, the physical and electrochemical analysis of the cathode active material according to the calcination temperature were investigated. Physical properties of $Li_{1.05}Ni_{0.9}Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.05}O_2$ were analyzed by FE-SEM, XRD and TGA. The electrochemical performance of the coin cell using a cathode active material and $LiPF_6$(EC:EMC=1:2 vol%) electrolyte was evaluated by the initial charge/discharge efficiency, cycle retention, and rate capabilities. As a result, the initial capacity and initial efficiency of cathode materials were excellent with 244.5~247.9 mAh/g and 84.2~85.8% at the calcination temperature range of $750{\sim}760^{\circ}C$. Also, the capacity retention exhibited high stability of 97.8~99.1% after 50cycles.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.342-348
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• 2009

Zn/Air secondary batteries are high energy density type and environment-friendly. Also, they have safer properties than batteries of other type by low manufacturing cost and using the electrolyte solution. But, they have a weak concerning large output discharge. Oxygen evolution reaction(OER) and oxgen reduction reaction(ORR) in aqueous solution make a result of a decrease of cell efficiency and life span. Therefore, to minimize the voltage drop from between OCV and charge/discharge voltage is key point. The problem should be solved through developing catalysts of high efficiency. In this study, we synthesized $Pr_{1-x}(Sr,\;Ca)_x\;CoO_3$ powders by citric method and then measured physical characteristics of each powder by XRD, SEM, TGA etc. We examined its electrochemical properties by the cathodic polarization, anodic polarization and cyclic voltammogram. We achieved results that new catalysts showed better performances than existing $La_{1-x}Sr_xCoO_3$, $La_{1-x}Ca_xCoO_3$, ect. catalysts prepared in our lab.

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2021

In order to address many issues associated with large volume changes of silicon, which has very low electrical conductivity but offers about 10 times higher theoretical capacity than graphite (Gr), a silicon nanoparticles/hollow carbon (SiNP/HC) composite having bimodal-mesopores was prepared using silica nanoparticles as a template. A control SiNP/C composite without a hollow structure was also prepared for comparison. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of SiNP/HC were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements for surface area and pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, galvanostatic cycling, and cyclic voltammetry tests to compare them with those of the SiNP/C composite. The SiNP/HC composite showed significantly better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/C, with minimal increase in electrode thickness after long cycles. A hybrid composite, SiNP/HC@Gr, prepared by physical mixing of the SiNP/HC and Gr at a 50:50 weight ratio, exhibited even better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/HC at low capacity. Thus, silicon/carbon composites designed to have hollow spaces capable of accommodating volume expansion were found to be highly effective for long cycle life of silicon-based composites. However, further study is required to improve the low initial coulombic efficiency of SiNP/HC and SiNP/HC@Gr, which is possibly because of their high surface area causing excessive electrolyte decomposition for the formation of solid-electrolyte-interface layers.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.280-288
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• 2017

Nanocarbon base materials such as, graphene and graphene hybrid with high electrochemical performances have great deal of attention to investigate flexible, stretchable display and wearable electronics in order to develop portable and high efficient energy storage devices. Battery, fuel cell and supercapacitor are able to achieve those properties for flexible, stretchable and wearable electronics, especially the supercapacitor is a promise energy storage device due to their remarkable properties including high power and energy density, environment friendly, fast charge-discharge and high stability. In this study, we have fabricated flexible supercapacitor composed of graphene/conductive polymer composite which could improve its electrochemical performance. As a result, specific capacitance value of the flexible supercapacitor (unbent) was $198.5F\;g^{-1}$ which decreased to $128.3F\;g^{-1}$ (65% retention) after $500^{th}$ bending cycle.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.307-312
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• 2017

In this study, the electrochemical performance of surface modified carbon using the PFO (pyrolyzed fuel oil) was investigated by chemical activation with KOH and $K_2CO_3$. PFO was heat treated at $390{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ for 1~3h to prepared the pitch. Three carbon precursors (pitch) prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3h), 4001(at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2h). Also, the effect of chemical activation catalysts and mixing time on the development of porosity during carbonization was investigated. The prepared carbon was analyzed by BET and FE-SEM. It was shown that chemical activation with KOH could be successfully used to develop carbon with specific surface area ($3.12m^2/g$) and mean pore size (22 nm). The electrochemical characteristics of modified carbon as the anode were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests. The coin cell using pitch (4002) modified by KOH has better initial capacity (318 mAh/g) than that of other pitch coin cells. Also, this prepared carbon anode appeared a high initial efficiency of 80% and the retention rate capability of 2C/0.1 C was 92%. It is found that modified carbon anode showed improved cycling and rate capacity performance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.534-538
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• 2017

In this study, the molecular weight controlled pitches derived from pyrolyzed fuel oil (PFO) were prepared using solvent extraction and were carbonized. Electrochemical characteristics of lithium battery anode materials were investigated using these petroleum pitches. Three pitch samples prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3 h), 4001 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h). The prepared hexane insoluble pitches were analysed by XRD, TGA, SEM and Gel permeation Chromatography (GPC). The electrochemical characteristics of the PFO-derived pitch as an anode material were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests. The coin cell using pitch (4001) and the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ in organic solvents (EC : DMC = 1 : 1 vol%, VC 3 wt%) has better initial capacity (310 mAh/g) than that of other pitch coin cells. Also, this carbon anode showd a high initial efficiency of 82%, retention rate capability at 2 C/0.1 C of 90% and cycle retention of 85%. It was found that modified pitches improved the cycling and rate capacity performance.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

In this study, the composite was prepared by mixing SiOx, soft carbon, and carbon black and the electrochemical properties of lithium ion battery were investigated. The content of SiOx added to improve the capacity of the soft carbon anode material was varied to 0, 6, 8, 10, 20 wt%, and carbon black was added as a structural stabilizer for reducing the volume expansion of SiOx. The physical properties of prepared CB/SiOx/C composite were investigated through XRD, SEM, EDS and powder resistance analysis. In addition, the electrochemical properties of prepared composite were observed through the charge/discharge capacity, rate and impedance analysis of the lithium ion battery. The prepared CB/SiOx/C composite had an inner cavity capable of mitigating the volume expansion of SiOx by adding carbon black. The formed internal cavity showed a low initial efficiency when the SiOx content was less than 8 wt%, and low cycle stability when the content of SiOx was less than 20 wt%. The CB/SiOx/C composite containing 10 wt% of SiOx showed an initial discharge capacity of 537 mAh/g, a capacity retention rate of 88%, and a rate of 79 at 2C/0.1C. SiOx was added to improve the capacity of the soft carbon anode material, and carbon black was added as a structural stabilizer to buffer the volume change of SiOx. In order to use the CB/SiOx/C composite as a high-efficiency anode material, the mechanism of the optimal SiOx and the use of carbon black as a structural stabilizer was discussed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.746-752
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• 2016

In this study, soft carbon was prepared by carbonization of carbon precursor (pitch) obtained from PFO (pyrolysis fuel oil) heat treatment. Three carbon precursors prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3 h), 4001 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h). After the prepared soft carbon was ground to a particle size of $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$, the soft carbon was synthesised by the chemical treatment with boric acid ($H_3BO_3$). The prepared soft carbon were analysed by XRD, FE-SEM and XPS. Also, the electrochemical performances of soft carbon were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests in the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ dissolved inorganic solvents (EC:DMC=1:1 vol%+VC 3 wt%). The coin cell using soft carbon of $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$ with 3903 soft carbon ($H_3BO_3$/Pitch=3:100 in weight) has better initial capacity and efficiency (330 mAh/g, 82%) than those of other coin cells. Also, it was found that the retention rate capability of 2C/0.1C was 90% after 30 cycles.