• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.475-480
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• 1998

A study on the electrochemical reduction of uranium (VI) to uranium (IV) was carried out in the mixed phases of an organic phase with uranium (VI) and aqueous phase of nitric acid by use of a highly packed glassy carbon (GC) fiber column electrode system, and a model for in-situ electrolytic stripping of uranium (VI) was suggested. The electrochemical reduction of uranium (VI) occurred faster in organic phase than in aqueous phase of the mixed phases. The uranium stripping yield increased and then became constant with the increase of organic flow rate of the electrolytic system due to the increase of diffusion resistance of uranium ions in the organic phase into the aqueous phase. Aqueous flow rate, on the other hand, didn't affect the total uranium (VI) reduction current in the system. The system combined with electrochemical reduction was confirmed to be much more effective than the simple system without it in stripping uranium.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2014

Academic interests in ionic liquid (IL) technologies have been extended to the nuclear industry and the applicability of ionic liquids for processing radioactive materials have been investigated by many researchers. A number of studies have reported interesting results with respect to the spectroscopic and electrochemical behaviors of metal elements included in spent nuclear fuels. The measured and observed properties of metal ions in TBP(tri-butyl phosphate) dissolved ILs have led the development of alternative technologies to traditional aqueous processes. On the other hand, the electrochemical deposition of metal ions in ILs have been investigated for the application of the solvents to aqueous as well as to non-aqueous processes. In this work, a review on the application of ILs in nuclear fuel cycle is presented for the purpose of categorizing and summarizing the notable researches on ILs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.277-277
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• 2010

The capacity of the carbonaceous materials reached ca. $350\;mAhg^{-1}$ which is close to theorestical value of the carbon intercalation composition $LiC_6$, resulting in a relatively low volumetric Li capacity. Notwithstanding the capacities of carbon, it will not adjust well to the need so future devices. Silicon shows the highest gravimetric capacities (up to $4000\;mAhg^{-1}$ for $Li_{21}Si_5$). Although Si is the most promising of the next generation anodes, it undergoes a large volume change during lithium insertion and extraction. It results in pulverization of the Si and loss of electrical contact between the Si and the current collector during the lithiation and delithiation. Thus, its capacity fades rapidly during cycling. We focused on electrode materials in the multiphase form which were composed of two metal compounds to reduce the volume change in material design. A combination of electrochemically amorphous active material in an inert matrix (Si-M) has been investigated for use as negative electrode materials in lithium ion batteries. The matrix composited of Si-M alloys system that; active material (Si)-inactive material (M) with Li; M is a transition metal that does not alloy with Li with Li such as Ti, V or Mo. We fabricated and tested a broad range of Si-M compositions. The electrodes were sputter-deposited on rough Cu foil. Electrochemical, structural, and compositional characterization was performed using various techniques. The structure of Si-M alloys was investigated using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Surface morphologies of the electrodes are observed using a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The electrochemical properties of the electrodes are studied using the cycling test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is found that the capacity is strongly dependent on Si content and cycle retention is also changed according to M contents. It may be beneficial to find materials with high capacity, low irreversible capacity and that do not pulverize, and that combine Si-M to improve capacity retention.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2024

𝛼-MnO₂ as a cathode material for Zn-ion batteries allows insertion and extraction of Zn ions within its tunnel structure during charge and discharge. The morphology and crystal structure of 𝛼-MnO₂ particles critically determine their electrochemical behavior and energy storage performance. In this study, 𝛼-MnO₂ was synthesized from precursor solutions under varying pH conditions using a hydrothermal method. The effects of pH values on the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance were systematically analyzed. The analysis revealed that materials synthesized at higher pH levels exhibited elongated and narrow nanorods with a lower specific surface area. In contrast, those formed at lower pH levels showed shorter, thicker nanorods with a higher specific surface area. This increased surface area at a lower pH enhanced the specific capacitance by providing a greater electrode/electrolyte interfacial area. By contrast, the material synthesized at higher pH conditions demonstrated superior rate capability, attributed to its crystal structure with wider lattice spacings. Wide lattice parameters in the material synthesized at higher pH conditions facilitated easier ion transport than at lower pH levels. Consequently, the study confirms that adjusting the pH of the precursor solution can optimize the electrochemical properties of 𝛼-MnO₂ for Zn-ion batteries.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.67-76
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• 2013

In this study, the inhibitive effect of electrochemical treatment subjected to fresh and hardened concrete and literature reviews in terms of the treatment were performed. In hardened concrete, chloride ions are mixed during casting to destroy the passivity of steel, and then the current was provided for 2 weeks with 250, 500 and $750mA/m^2$. After completion of electrochemical treatment, the extraction of chloride ions was quantified and repassivation of steel was observed. Simultaneously, the equated levels of current density for 2 weeks were applied to fresh concrete. Steel-concrete interface in concrete was observed by BSE image analysis and the concrete properties in terms of the diffusivity of chloride ions and the resistance of steel corrosion was measured. As the result, electrochemical treatment is very effectiveness to rehabilitate the passive film on the steel surface and 63-73% of chloride ions in concrete were extracted by the treatment. As the treatment was applied to fresh concrete, the resistance of steel corrosion was improved due to the densification of $Ca(OH)_2$ layers in the vicinity of steel. However, an increase in the current density resulted in an increase in surface chloride content of concrete.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are the state-of-the-art technology among electrochemical energy storage and conversion cells, and are still considered the most attractive class of battery in the future due to their high specific energy density, high efficiency, and long cycle life. Rapid development of power-hungry commercial electronics and large-scale energy storage applications (e.g. off-peak electrical energy storage), however, requires novel anode materials that have higher energy densities to replace conventional graphite electrodes. Germanium (Ge) and silicon (Si) are thought to be ideal prospect candidates for next generation LIB anodes due to their extremely high theoretical energy capacities. For instance, Ge offers relatively lower volume change during cycling, better Li insertion/extraction kinetics, and higher electronic conductivity than Si. In this focused review, we briefly describe the basic concepts of LIBs and then look at the characteristics of ideal anode materials that can provide greatly improved electrochemical performance, including high capacity, better cycling behavior, and rate capability. We then discuss how, in the future, Ge anode materials (Ge and Ge oxides, Ge-carbon composites, and other Ge-based composites) could increase the capacity of today's Li batteries. In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to fulfill the requirements of excellent anode materials, especially using these materials at the nanoscale. This article shall serve as a handy reference, as well as starting point, for future research related to high capacity LIB anodes, especially based on semiconductor Ge and Si.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.396-401
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• 1995

Epoxy coated reinforcing steels (ECRs) were acquired from ten sources and coatings from each source were initially characterized in terms of defects, thickness, solvent extraction weight loss and hardness. Testing involved exposure in three aqueous solutions at elevated temperature (8$0^{\circ}C$) and in chloride-contaminated concrete slabs under outdoor exposure, It was found that the density and size of coating defects was the promary factor affecting ECR performance. The equivalent circuit analysis using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data indicated that the impedance response for well-performing ECR specimens showed no signs of active degradation at the interface although diffusional processes similar to those noted for poorly performing bars occurred here. Experimental results also indicated a relationship between corrosion behavior and bar source. Weight loss upon solvent extraction correlated with impedance reduction from hot water exposure. Coating defects during most of the tests, especially in high pH solutions containing chloride ions. ECRs with excessive coating defects, either initially present or ones which developed in service, performed poorly in every test category regardless of source. Forms of coating failure were extensive rusting at defects, blistering, wet adhesion loss, cathodic delamination, underfilm corrosion and coating cracks. These occurred sequentially or concurrently, depending on the condition of the ECR and nature of the environment

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.598-602
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• 2018

This study examined the characteristics of the waste catalyst used in the petroleum refinery operations. The total pore volume, specific surface area, and average pore size of the spent catalyst used in the petroleum refinery operations were 3.96cc/g, 13.81m2/g, and 1.15A, respectively. The weight loss observed in the range from $25^{\circ}C-700^{\circ}C$ for the spent catalysts using TG and DTA was approximately 23 wt. %. EDS analysis of the waste catalyst sample showed that the five major components were vanadium, nickel, manganese, iron, and copper. The extraction system is attractive for liquid-liquid extraction. In this study, Cynex 272 was used to extract vanadium from waste catalyst. The electrochemical characteristics of the extracted vanadium solution were measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV). As a result, an oxidation / reduction peak appeared, indicating the potential of an electrolytic solution.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2023

The global demand for raw lithium materials is rapidly increasing, accompanied by the demand for lithiumion batteries for next-generation mobility. The batch-type method, which selectively separates and concentrates lithium from seawater rich in reserves, could be an alternative to mining, which is limited owing to low extraction rates. Therefore, research on selectively separating and concentrating lithium using an electrodialysis technique, which is reported to have a recovery rate 100 times faster than the conventional methods, is actively being conducted. In this study, a lithium ion selective membrane is prepared using lithium lanthanum titanate, an oxide-based solid electrolyte material, to extract lithium from seawater, and a large-area membrane manufacturing process is conducted to extract a large amount of lithium per unit time. Through the developed manufacturing process, a large-area membrane with a diameter of approximately 20 mm and relative density of 96% or more is manufactured. The lithium extraction behavior from seawater is predicted by measuring the ionic conductivity of the membrane through electrochemical analysis.

• 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.