• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2000

The spinel structured $LiMn_2O_4$was obtained by two consecutive heat treatment on xerogel; the first heat treatment was at $150^{\circ}C$ and the second at $350^{\circ}C$ was obtained by sol-gel process using an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide and manganese acetate. The synthesized $LiMn_2O_4$ by the sol-gel process showed a discharge capacity of 88~56 mAh/g after 15 cycles in Li/lM $LiClO_4$(in PC)/$LiMn_2O_4$at a current density of 0.25 mA/$\textrm{cm}^2$ and the voltage ranged 3.5 V to 4.3 V. For the second heat treatment above $350^{\circ}C$, $Mn_2O_3$was formed as a by-product during the synthesis of $LiMn_2O_4$. The heat treatment at $500^{\circ}C$, for example, showed a lower discharge capacity 81~47 mAh/g, after the 15 charge/discharge cycles. The lower capacity was due to the increment of $Mn^{3+}$ ion and this phenomenon was in agreement with the Jahn-Teller distortion.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2012.05a
• /
• pp.72-72
• /
• 2012

Lithium rechargeable batteries have been widely used as key power sources for portable devices for the last couple of decades. Their high energy density and power have allowed the proliferation of ever more complex portable devices such as cellular phones, laptops and PDA's. For larger scale applications, such as batteries in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) or power tools, higher standards of the battery, especially in term of the rate (power) capability and energy density, are required. In PHEV, the materials in the rechargeable battery must be able to charge and discharge (power capability) with sufficient speed to take advantage of regenerative braking and give the desirable power to accelerate the car. The driving mileage of the electric car is simply a function of the energy density of the batteries. Since the successful launch of recent Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride)-based HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles) in the market, there has been intense demand for the high power-capable Li battery with higher energy density and reduced cost to make HEV vehicles more efficient and reduce emissions. However, current Li rechargeable battery technology has to improve significantly to meet the requirements for HEV applications not to mention PHEV. In an effort to design and develop an advanced electrode material with high power and energy for Li rechargeable batteries, we approached to this in two different length scales - Atomic and Nano engineering of materials. In the atomic design of electrode materials, we have combined theoretical investigation using ab initio calculations with experimental realization. Based on fundamental understanding on Li diffusion, polaronic conduction, operating potential, electronic structure and atomic bonding nature of electrode materials by theoretical calculations, we could identify and define the problems of existing electrode materials, suggest possible strategy and experimentally improve the electrochemical property. This approach often leads to a design of completely new compounds with new crystal structures. In this seminar, I will talk about two examples of electrode material study under this approach; $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{0.5}O_2$ based layered materials and olivine based multi-component systems. In the other scale of approach; nano engineering; the morphology of electrode materials are controlled in nano scales to explore new electrochemical properties arising from the limited length scales and nano scale electrode architecture. Power, energy and cycle stability are demonstrated to be sensitively affected by electrode architecture in nano scales. This part of story will be only given summarized in the talk.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.178-182
• /
• 2007

Non-aqueous supercapacitors by using activated C and $LiMn_2O_4$ as an active material in a positive electrode were prepared and characterized. From the cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance analysis, the capacitive effect by electric double layer of activated carbon and the faradic effect by intercalation/deintercalation of $Li^+$ ion were observed. Increasing the ratio of $LiMn_2O_4$, specific capacitances and energy densities of supercapacitor were increased. At the ratio of 0.86:0.14 ($LiMn_2O_4:C$), the maximum specific capacitance of 17.51 Wh/L and energy density of 23.83 F/cc were obtained, which were more than twice of those for a conventional electric double layer capacitor. Even after 1,000 charge/discharge cycle, the supercapacitor by using the electrode containing 14% of activated carbon and 86% of $LiMn_2O_4$ showed 60% better specific capacitance and energy density than that by using the electrode containing 100% activated carbon.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2016.02a
• /
• pp.392.1-392.1
• /
• 2016

Nowadays, research interest in developing the wearable devices are growing remarkably. Portable consumer electronic systems are becoming lightweight, flexible and even wearable. In fact, wearable electronics require energy storage device with thin, foldable, stretchable and conformable properties. Accordingly, developing the flexible energy storage devices with desirable abilities has become the main focus of research area. Among various energy storage devices, supercapacitors have been considered as an attractive next generation energy storage device owing to their advantageous properties of high power density, rapid charge-discharge rate, long-cycle life and high safety. The energy being stored in pseudocapacitors is relatively higher compared to the electrochemical double-layer capacitors, which is due to the continuous redox reactions generated in the electrode materials of pseudocapacitors. Generally, transition metal oxides/hydroxide (such as $Co_3O_4$, $Ni(OH)_2$, $NiFe_2O_4$, $MnO_2$, $CoWO_4$, $NiWO_4$, etc.) with controlled nanostructures (NSs) are used as electrode materials to improve energy storage properties in pseudocapacitors. Therefore, different growth methods have been used to synthesize these NSs. Of various growth methods, electrochemical deposition is considered to be a simple and low-cost method to facilely integrate the various NSs on conductive electrodes. Herein, we synthesized amorphous $NiWO_4$ NSs on cost-effective conductive textiles by a facile electrochemical deposition. The as-grown amorphous $NiWO_4$ NSs served as a flexible and efficient electrode for energy storage applications.

• Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.383-391
• /
• 2010

In this study, HFC152a, HFC134a/HFC152a and HC290/HFC134a/HFC152a mixtures are studied for the supplementary and alternative refrigerants for HFC134a used in automobile air-conditioners. Due to the high global warming potential of HFC134a, it has to be phased out in the long run. Thermodynamic performance of these refrigerants are measured in a bench tester of 3.5 kW capacity with an open type compressor under both summer and winter conditions. Test results show that the coefficient of performance (COP) and capacity of pure HFC152a and HFC134a/HFC152a mixture are 9.1~12% and 7% higher than those of HFC134a. As for the HC290/HFC134a/HFC152a, the COP is up to 9.5% higher than that of HFC134a with 1~2% of HC290 while that is up to 6.1% lower than that of HFC134a with 5% HC290. The capacity of the ternary mixture, however, is 8.6% higher than that of HFC134a at all compositions tested. The compressor discharge temperatures of all refrigerants tested are $6{\sim}10^{\circ}C$ higher than that of HFC134a. For all refrigerants, the amount of charge is reduced up to 32% due to the decrease in liquid density. Overall, these refrigerants provide good performance with reasonable energy savings with less environmental problem and thus can be used as long term alternatives for automobile air-conditioners.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.409-413
• /
• 2013

In this paper, we device stress-diffusion full coupling multiscale analysis method for battery electrode simulation. In proposed method, the diffusive and mechanical properties of electrode material depend on Li concentration are estimated using density function theory(DFT) simulation. Then, stress-diffusion full coupling continuum formulation based on finite element method(FEM) is constructed with the diffusive and mechanical properties calculated from DFT simulation. Finally, silicon nanowire anode charge and discharge simulations are performed using the proposed method. Through numerical examples, the stress-diffusion full coupling method shows more resonable results than previous one way continuum analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2018

Many electronic devices are powered by various rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion recently, and occasionally the batteries undergo thermal runaway and cause fire, explosion, and other hazards. If a battery fire should occur in an electronic device of vehicle and aircraft cabin, it is important to quickly extinguish the fire and cool the batteries to minimize safety risks. Attempts to minimize these risks have been carried out by many researchers but the results have been still unsatisfied. Because most rechargeable batteries are operated on the ion state during charge and discharge of electricity and the combustion of ion state has big difference with normal combustion. Here we focused on the effect of ions including an electron during combustion process. The effects of an ionized fuel on the flame stability and the combustion products were experimentally investigated in the propane jet diffusion flames. The burner used in this experiment consisted of 7.5 mm diameter tube for fuel and the propane was ionized with th ionizer (SUNJE, SPN-11). The results show that toe overall flame stability and shape such as flame length has no significant difference even in the higher ion concentration. However the fuel ionization affects to the pollutant emissions such as NOx and soot. NOx and CO emissions measured in post flame region decreased by fuel ionization, especially high fuel velocity, i.e. high ion density. TGA analysis and morphology of soot by TEM indicates that the fuel ionization makes soot to be matured.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2012.05a
• /
• pp.73-73
• /
• 2012

Modern technology-driven society largely relies on hybrid electric vehicles or electric vehicles for eco-friendly transportation and the use of high technology devices. Lithium rechargeable batteries are the most promising power sources because of its high energy density but still have a challenge. Graphite is the most widely used anode material in the field of lithium rechargeable batteries due to its many advantages such as good cyclic performances, and high charge/discharge efficiency in the initial cycle. However, it has an important safety issue associated with the dendritic lithium growth on the anode surface at high charging current because the conventional graphite approaches almost 0 V vs $Li/Li^+$ at the end of lithium insertion. Therefore, a fundamental solution is to use an electrochemical redox couple with higher equilibrium potentials, which suppresses lithium metal formation on the anode surface. Among the candidates, $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ is a very interesting intercalation compound with safe operation, high rate capability, no volume change, and excellent cycleability. But the insulating character of $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ has raised concerns about its electrochemical performance. The initial insulating character associated with Ti4+ in $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ limits the electronic transfer between particles and to the external circuit, thereby worsening its high rate performance. In order to overcome these weak points, several alternative synthetic methods are highly required. Hence, in this presentation, novel ways using a synergetic strategy based on 1D architecture and surface coating will be introduced to enhance the kinetic property of Ti-based electrode. In addition, first-principle calculation will prove its significance to design Ti-based electrode for the most optimized electrochemical performance.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.659-662
• /
• 2012

Yttrium (Y) and niobium (Nb) doped spherical $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ were synthesized to improve the energy density and electrochemical properties of anode material. The synthesized crystal was $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$, the particle size was less than $1{\mu}m$ and the morphology was spherical and well dispersed. The Y and Nb optimal doping amounts were 1 mol% and 0.5 mol%, respectively. The initial capacity of the dopant discharge and charge capacity were respectively 149mAh/g and 143 mAh/g and were significantly improved compared to the undoped condition at 129 mAh/g. Also, the capacity retention of 0.2 C/5 C was 74% for each was improved to 94% and 89%. It was consequently found that Y and Nb doping into the $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ matrix reduces the polarization and resistance of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer during the electrochemical reaction.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.39-44
• /
• 1998

$LiCoO_2$ powder was synthesized in an aqueous solution by a sol-gel method and used as a cathode active material for a lithium ion rechargeable battery. The layered $LiCoO_2$ powders were prepared by igniting in air for 12 hrs at 600 ℃ $(600-LiCoO_2)$ and 850 ℃ $(850-LiCoO_2)$. The structure of the $LiCoO_2$ powder was assigned to the space group R bar 3 m (lattice parameters a=2.814 Å and c=14.04Å). The SEM pictures of $600-LiCoO_2$ revealed homogeneous and fine particles of about 1 μm in diameter. Cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of $600-LiCoO_2$ electrode displayed a set of redox peaks at 3.80/4.05 V due to the intercalation/deintercalation of the lithium ions into/out of the $LiCoO_2$ structure. CVs for the $850-LiCoO_2$ electrode had a major set of redox peaks at 3.88/4.13 V, and two small set of redox peaks at 4.18/4.42 V and 4.05/4.25 V due to phase transitions. The initial charge-discharge capacity was 156-132 mAh/g for the $600-LiCoO_2$ electrode and 158-131 mAh/g for the $850-LiCoO_2$ electrode at the current density of 0.2 mA/cm2. The cycleability of the cell consisting of the $600-LiCoO_2$ electrode was better than that of the $850-LiCoO_2$. The diffusion coefficient of the $Li^+$ ion in the $600-LiCoO_2$ electrode was calculated as $4.6{\times}10^{-8}\; cm^2/sec$.