• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2016

To enhance electrochemical performances of anode materials, the surface of coal tar pitch (CTP) was modified by incorporating heteroatoms through chemical treatment with phosphoric acid ($H_3PO_4$). The prepared anode materials with modified CTP was analyzed by XRD, FE-SEM and XPS. The electrochemical performances of modified CTP were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests using the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ dissolved in the mixed organic solvents (ethylene carbonate : dimethyl carbonate = 1 : 1 vol% + vinylene carbonate 3 wt%). The coin cell using modified CTP ($H_3PO_4/CTP$ = 3 : 100 in weight) has better initial capacity and initial efficiency (489 mAh/g, 82%) than those of other composition coin cells. Also, it was found that the capacity retention was 86% after 30 cycles and the rate capability was 87% at 2 C/0.1 C.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2011

We demonstrate a new surface modification of high-voltage lithium cobalt oxide ($LiCoO_2$) cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries. This approach is based on exploitation of a polarity-tuned gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) coating. Herein, two contrast polymers having different polarity are chosen: polyimide (PI) synthesized from thermally curing 4-component (pyromellitic dianhydride/biphenyl dianhydride/phenylenediamine/oxydianiline) polyamic acid (as a polar GPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) containing 12 wt% vinyl acetate repeating unit (as a less polar GPE). The strong affinity of polyamic acid for $LiCoO_2$ allows the resulting PI coating layer to present a highly-continuous surface film of nanometer thickness. On the other hand, the less polar EVA coating layer is poorly deposited onto the $LiCoO_2$, resulting in a locally agglomerated morphology with relatively high thickness. Based on the characterization of GPE coating layers, their structural difference on the electrochemical performance and thermal stability of high-voltage (herein, 4.4 V) $LiCoO_2$ is thoroughly investigated. In comparison to the EVA coating layer, the PI coating layer is effective in preventing the direct exposure of $LiCoO_2$ to liquid electrolyte, which thus plays a viable role in improving the high-voltage cell performance and mitigating the interfacial exothermic reaction between the charged $LiCoO_2$ and liquid electrolytes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2014

The MCMB-$Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ with core-shell structure was prepared by sol-gel process to improve low cycle capability of MCMB in this study. The electrochemical characteristics were investigated for hybrid capacitor using MCMB-$Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ as the negative electrode and $LiMn_2O_4$, Active carbon fiber as the positive electrode. The electrochemical behaviors of hybrid capacitor using organic electrolytes ($LiPF_6$, EC/DMC/EMC) were characterized by charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, cycle and impedance tests. The hybrid capacitor using MCMB-$Li_4Ti_5O_{12}/LiMn_2O_4$ electrodes had better capacitance than MCMB hybrid systems and was able to deliver a specific energy with 67 Wh/kg at a specific power of 781 W/kg.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

$Li_2SiO_3$ was used as a coating material to improve the electrochemical performance of $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}]O_2$. $Li_2SiO_3$ is not only a stable oxide but also an ionic conductor and can, therefore, facilitate the movement of lithium ions at the cathode/electrolyte interface. The surface of the $Li_2SiO_3$-coated $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}]O_2$ was covered with island-type $Li_2SiO_3$ particles, and the coating process did not affect the structural integrity of the $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}]O_2$ powder. The $Li_2SiO_3$ coating improved the discharge capacity and rate capability; moreover, the $Li_2SiO_3$-coated electrodes showed reduced impedance values. The surface of the lithium-ion battery cathode is typically attacked by the HF-containing electrolyte, which forms an undesired surface layer that hinders the movement of lithium ions and electrons. However, the $Li_2SiO_3$ coating layer can prevent the undesired side reactions between the cathode surface and the electrolyte, thus enhancing the rate capability and discharge capacity. The thermal stability of $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}]O_2$ was also improved by the $Li_2SiO_3$ coating.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.191-195
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• 2011

This study reports the root cause of the improved rate performance of $LiFePO_4$ after Cr doping. By measuring the chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium ($D_{Li}$) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the correlation between the electrochemical performance of $LiFePO_4$ and Li diffusion is acquired. The diffusion constants for $LiFePO_4$/C and $LiFe_{0.97}Cr_{0.03}PO_4$/C measured from CV are $2.48{\times}10^{-15}$ and $4.02{\times}10^{-15}cm^2s^{-1}$, respectively, indicating significant increases in diffusivity after the modification. The difference in diffusivity is also confirmed by EIS and the $D_{Li}$ values obtained as a function of the lithium content in the cathode. These results suggest that Cr doping facilitates Li ion diffusion during the charge-discharge cycles. The low diffusivity of the $LiFePO_4$/C leads to the considerable capacity decline at high discharge rates, while high diffusivity of the $LiFe_{0.97}Cr_{0.03}PO_4$/C maintains the initial capacity, even at high C-rates.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1631-1636
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• 2010

In this study, we demonstrate a nano-scale lithograph obtained on localized (100) silicon (p-type) surface using by modified AFM (Atomic force microscope) apparatuses and by adopting controlling methods. AFM-based experimental apparatuses are connected to a customized pulse generator that supplies electricity between the conductive tip and the silicon surface, while maintaining a constant humidity throughout the lithography process. The pulse durations are controlled according to various experimental conditions. The electrochemical reaction induced by the pulses occurs in the gap between the conductive tip and silicon surface and result in the formation of nanoscale oxide particles. Oxide particles with various heights and widths can be created by AFM surface modification; the size of the oxide particle depends on the pulse durations and the applied electrical conditions under a humid environment.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.407-415
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• 2022

Surface coating of cathodes is an essential process for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) based on sulfide electrolytes as it efficiently suppresses interfacial reactions between oxide cathodes and sulfide electrolytes. Based on computational calculations, Li₃PO₄ has been suggested as a promising coating material because of its higher stability with sulfides and its optimal ionic conductivity. However, it has hardly been applied to the coating of ASSBs due to the absence of a suitable coating process, including the selection of source material that is compatible with ASSBs. In this study, polyphosphoric acid (PPA) and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ were used as source materials for preparing a Li₃PO₄ coating for ASSBs, and the properties of the coating layer and coated cathodes were compared. The Li₃PO₄ layer fabricated using the (NH₄)₂HPO₄ source was rough and inhomogeneous, which is not suitable for the protection of the cathodes. Moreover, the water-based coating solution with the (NH₄)₂HPO₄ source can deteriorate the electrochemical performance of high-Ni cathodes that are vulnerable to water. In contrast, when an alcohol-based solvent was used, the PPA source enabled the formation of a thin and homogeneous coating layer on the cathode surface. As a consequence, the ASSBs containing the Li₃PO₄-coated cathode prepared by the PPA source exhibited significantly enhanced discharge and rate capabilities compared to ASSBs containing a pristine cathode or Li₃PO₄-coated cathode prepared by the (NH₄)₂HPO₄ source.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

In this work, we developed a Nafion polymer-coated impedance sensor with two gold electrode configurations to measure the ion concentration in solution samples. The gold electrodes were fabricated through the sputtering process, followed by surface modification using Nafion polymer. The resulting sensors enable the prevention of the polarization phenomenon on the electrode surface, resulting in stable measurement of electrochemical signals. Spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements revealed that the thin film of Nafion was coated uniformly onto the surface of the gold electrode. The Nafion-coated sensor exhibited more stable impedance signals than the conventional gold electrode. It showed a highly reliable calibration curve (R² = 0.983) of the impedance sensor using a standard sodium chloride solution. In addition, a comparison experiment between the impedance sensor and a commercial conductivity sensor was performed to measure the ion concentration of artificial tears, showing similar results for the two sensors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2006

An electrochemical COD(Chemical Oxygen Demand) sensor using an electrode-surface finding unit has been constructed. The electrolyzing(oxidizing) action of copper on the organic species was used as the basis of the COD measuring sensor. Using a simple three electrode cell, organic species which has been activated by the catalytic action of copper is oxidized at a working electrode, poised at a positive potential. A novel modification of the above method allowed for extended use of the electrode, in which the action of the electrode is regenerated by an electrode-surface grinding unit. When samples obtained from a wastewater treatment factory were measured, a linear correlation($r^2=0.93$) between the measured value(EOD) and $COD_{Mn}$ of the samples was observed. Overall results indicated that the electrochemical sensor with grinding unit could be applied for continuous measurements of COD in practical fields.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.07a
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• pp.603-604
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of oxidizer additive on the performance of Cu-CMP process using commonly used tungsten slurry. According to the CMP removal rates and particle size distribution, and the micro- structures of surface layer as a function of oxidizer contents were greatly influenced by the slurry chemical composition of oxidizers. The difference in removal rate and roughness of copper surface are believed to cause by modification in the mechanical behavior of $Al_{2}O_3$ abrasive particles in CMP slurry.