• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2000

The relation between the phase-shift profile for the intermediate frequencies and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm at the poly-$Pt/0.1\;M\;H_2SO_4$ aqueous electrolyte interface has been studied using ac impedance measurements, i.e., the phase-shift methods. The suggested interfacial equivalent circuit consists of the serial connection of the electrolyte resistance ($R_S$), the faradaic resistance $(R_F)$ and the equivalent circuit element $(C_P)$ of the adsorption pseudocapacitance $(C_\varphi)$. The delayed phase shift $(\varphi)$ depends on both the cathode potential (E) and frequency (f), and is given by $\varphi=-tan^{-1}[1/2{\pi}f(R_s+R_F)C_p]$. The phase-shift profile $(\varphi\;vs.\;E)$ for the intermediate frequency (ca. 6Hz) can be used as an experimental method to determine the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (9 vs. E). The equilibrium constant (K) for H adsorption and the standard free energy $({\Delta}G_{ads})$ of H adsorption at the poly-$Pt/0.1\;M\;H_2SO_4$ electrolyte interface are $1.8\times10^{-4}\;and\;21.4kJ/mol$, respectively. The H adsorption is attributed to the over-potentially deposited hydrogen (OPD H).

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.543-548
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• 2015

Si/C/CNF composites as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were examined to improve the capacity and cycle performance. Si/C/CNF composites were prepared by the fabrication process including the synthesis and magnesiothermic reduction of SBA-15 to obtain Si/MgO by ball milling and the carbonization of phenol resin with CNF and HCl etching. Prepared Si/C/CNF composites were then analysed by BET, XRD, FE-SEM and TGA. Among SBA-15 samples synthesized at reaction temperatures between 50 and $70^{\circ}C$, the SBA-15 at $60^{\circ}C$ showed the largest specific surface area. Also the electrochemical performances of Si/C/CNF composites as an anode electrode were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests in the electrolyte of LiPF6 dissolved in mixed organic solvents (EC : DMC : EMC = 1 : 1 : 1 vol%). The coin cell using Si/C/CNF composites (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) showed better capacity (1,947 mAh/g) than that of other composition coin cells. The capacity retention ratio decreased from 84% (Si : CNF = 97 : 3 in weight) to 77% (Si : CNF = 89 : 11 in weight). It was found that the Si/C/CNF composite electrode shows an improved cycling performance and electric conductivity.

• 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.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2011

In this study, the $TiO_{2}/V_{2}O_{5}$ hybrid semiconductors were prepared by mixing $TiO_{2}$ and $V_{2}O_{5}$, and a subsequent smash process to reduce the recombination of electron and improve the efficiency of solar cells. Dye-sensitized solar cells were constructed using the resultant hybrid semiconductor, and their electrochemical properties were also investigated. The photocurrent-voltage curve obtained with the cells indicated a significant increase in the efficiency from 2.9 to 5.7% by the factor of 2 compared to the result obtained only with $TiO_{2}$. It is believed that the introduction of $V_{2}O_{5}$ effectively transport electrons in the $TiO_{2}$ conduction band to FTO glass and suppress recombination with the dye and/or the electrolyte, thus yielding an efficient performance of the dye sensitized solar cell. The impedance values also indicated a decrease of resistance in the interface of $TiO_{2}$/dye/electrolyte supporting the constructive contributions of the smashed $TiO_{2}/V_{2}O_{5}$ hybrid semiconductors for the efficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.118-124
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• 2001

The Langmuir adsorption isotherm of the over-potentially deposited hydrogen (OPD H) for the cathodic $H_2$ evolution reaction (HER) at the $poly-Au|0.5M\;H_2SO_4$ aqueous electrolyte interface has been studied using cyclic voltammetric and ac impedance techniques. The behavior of the phase shift $(0^{\circ}\leq{-\phi}\leq90^{\circ})$ for the optimum intermediate frequency corresponds well to that of the fractional surface coverage $(1\geq{\theta}\geq0)$ at the interface. The phase-shift profile $({-\phi}\;vs.\;E)$ for the optimum intermediate frequency, i.e., the phase-shift method, can be used as a new method to estimate the Langmuir adsorption isotherm $(\theta\;vs.\;E)$ of the OPD H for the cathodic HER at the interface. At the poly-$Au|0.5M\;H_2SO_4$ electrolyte interface, the equilibrium constant (K) and standard free energy $({\Delta}G_{ads})$ of the OPD H are $2.3\times10^{-6}\;and\;32.2\;kJ\;mol^{-1}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.97-108
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• 2008

The use of fly ash to replace a portion of cement has resulted significant savings in the cost of cement production. Fly ash blended cement concretes require a longer curing time and their early strength is low when compared to ordinary Portland cement(OPC) concrete. By adopting various activation techniques such as physical, thermal and chemical method, hydration of fly ash blended cement concrete was accelerated and thereby improved the corrosion-resistance of concrete. Concrete specimens prepared with 10-40% of activated fly ash replacement were evaluated for their open circuit potential measurements, weight loss measurements, impedance measurements, linear polarization measurements, water absorption test, rapid chloride ion penetration test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test and the results were compared with those for OPC concrete without fly ash. All the studies confirmed that up to a critical level of 20-30% replacement; activated fly ash cement improved the corrosion-resistance properties of concrete. It was also confirmed that the chemical activation of fly ash better results than the other methods of activation investigated in this study.

• Clean Technology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.308-315
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• 2016

$SiO_x/ZnO$ composites were prepared from sol-gel method for excellent cycle life characteristics. The composites were coated by PVC as a carbon precursor. ZnO removal to create a void space therein was able to buffer the volume change during charge and discharge. To determine the crystal structure and the shape of the synthesized composite, XRD, SEM, TEM analysis was performed. The carbon contents in the composites were confirmed by TGA. The pore structure and pore size distribution of the composite was measured with the BET specific surface area analysis and BJH pore size distribution. Enhanced electric conductivity by carbon addition was determined from powder resistance measurement. Electrochemical properties were measured with the AC impedance and the charge and discharge cycle life characteristics. When carbon was coated on the $SiO_x/ZnO$ sample, the electrical conductivity and the discharge capacity were increased. After removal of ZnO with HCl the surface area of the sample was increased, but the discharge capacity was decreased. $SiO_x/ZnO$ sample without acarbon coating showed very low discharge capacity, and after carbon coating the sample showed high discharge capacity. For cycle life characteristics, $C-SiO_x/ZnO$ composite (Zn : Si : C = 1 : 1 : 8) with a capacity of $815mAh\;g^{-1}$ at 50 cycle and 0.2 C has higher capacity than existing graphite-based anode materials.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2010

Porous poly(propylene) supported gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) were synthesized by thermal polymerization of DEGDMA [Di(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate] in electrolyte solutions (1 M solution of $LiPF_6$ in EC/DEC 1 : 1 mixture) at $70^{\circ}C$. AC impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to evaluate its ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability window of the GPE membranes. Lithium ion battery (LIB) cells were also fabricated with $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.2}O_2$/graphite and GPE membranes via thermal polymerization process. Through the thermal polymerization, self sustaining GPE membranes with sufficient ionic conductivities (over $10^{-3}\;S/cm$) and electrochemical stabilities. The LIB cell with 5% monomer showed the best rate-capability and cycleability.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1125-1132
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• 2000

The pH effect of the precursor solution on the preparation of $LiCoO_2$ by a solution phase reaction containing malonic acid was carried out. Layered $LiCoO_2$ powders were obtained with the precursors prepared at the different pHs (4, 7, and 9) and heat-treated at $700^{\circ}C(LiCoO_2-700)$ or $850^{\circ}C(LiCoO_2-850)$ in air. pHs of the media for precursor synthesis affects the charge/discharge and electrochemical properties of the $LiCoO_2electrodes.$ Upon irrespective of pH of the precursor media, X-ray diffraction spectra recorded for $LiCoO_2-850$ powder showed higher peak intensity ratio of I(003)/I(104) than that of $LiCoO_2-700$, since the better crystallization of the former crystallized better. However, $LiCoO_2$ synthesized at pH 4 displayed an abnormal higher intensity ratio of I(003)/I(104) than those synthesized at pH 7 and 9. The surface morphology of the $LiCoO_2-850$ powders was rougher and more irregular than that of $LiCoO_2-700$ made from the precursor synthesized at pH 7 and 9. The $LiCoO_2electrodes$ prepared with the precursors synthesized at pH 7 and 9 showed a better electrochemical and charge/discharge characteristics. From the AC impedance spectroscopic experiments for the electrode made from the precursor prepared in pH 7, the chemical diffusivity of Li ions (DLi+) in $Li0.58CoO_2determined$ was 2.7 ${\times}$10-8 $cm^2s-1$. A cell composed of the $LiCoO_2-700$ cathode prepared in pH 7 with Lithium metal anode reveals an initial discharge specific capacity of 119.8 mAhg-1 at a current density of 10.0 mAg-1 between 3.5 V and 4.3 V. The full-cell composed with $LiCoO_2-700$ cathode prepared in pH 7 and the Mesocarbon Pitch-based Carbon Fiber (MPCF) anode separated by a Cellgard 2400 membrane showed a good cycleability. In addition, it was operated over 100 charge/discharge cycles and displayed an average reversible capacity of nearly 130 mAhg-1.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.332-339
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• 2021

Recently, due to concerns about the depletion of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases, the importance of hydrogen energy technology, which is a clean energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases, is being emphasized. Water electrolysis technology is a green hydrogen technology that obtains hydrogen by electrolyzing water and is attracting attention as one of the ultimate clean future energy resources. In this study, the surface properties of the porous transport layer (PTL), one of the cell components of the proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), were controlled using a sandpaper to reduce overvoltage and increase performance and stability. The surfaces of PTL were sanded using sandpapers of 400, 180, and 100 grit, and then all samples were finally treated with the sandpaper of 1000 grit. The prepared PTL was analyzed for the degree of hydrophilicity by measuring the water contact angle, and the surface shape was observed through SEM analysis. In order to analyze the electrochemical characteristics, I-V performance curves and impedance measurements were conducted.