• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.123-128
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• 2016

In this study, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP)-based gel polymer electrolyte incorporating nano-size $Al_2O_3$ ceramic particle was prepared by electrospinning. The gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) incorporated with $Al_2O_3$ ceramic particle showed higher ionic conductivity of $9.5{\times}10^{-2}Scm^{-1}$ than pure PVdF-HFP GPE without ceramic particle and improved the electrochemical stability up to 5.2 V. The GPEs were assembled with $LiNi_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}Co_{1/3}O_2$ (NMC) cathode for electrochemical test. The GPE batteries at 0.1 C-rate delivered $168.2mAh\;g^{-1}$ for pure GPE and $189.6mAh\;g^{-1}$ for hybrid GPE, respectively. Therefore, the incorporation of high dielectric constant ceramic particle will be good strategy to enhance the stability and electrochemical properties of lithium ion gel polymer batteries.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.498-506
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• 2016

Electrochemical measurement using a LSCF6428 electrode was performed to estimate the oxygen potential gradient in the electrode layer and a long time stability test was performed by applied potential to learn the overpotential effect on the LSCF6428 electrode. By fitting the observed impedance spectra, it was obtained that the amount of faradic current decreased with distance from cathode/electrolyte interface. Oxygen potential gradient was estimated to occur within 1 um region from the cathode/electrolyte interface at an oxygen partial pressure of 10-1 bar. The segregation of cation rich phases in the LSCF6428 electrode suggests that kinetic decomposition took place. However, impedance response after applying the potential showed no changes in the electrode compared with before applying potential. The obtained results suggest that segregation of a secondary phase in a LSCF6428 cathode is not related to performance degradation for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.220-237
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• 2020

Modern electrochemical energy devices involve generation and reduction of fuel gases through electrochemical reactions of water splitting, alcohol oxidation, oxygen reduction, etc. Initially, these processes were executed in the presence of noble metal-based catalyst that showed low overpotential and high current density. However, its high cost, unavailability, corrosion and related toxicity limited its application. The search for alternative with high stability, durability, and efficiency led scientists towards carbon nanoparticles supported catalysts which has high surface area, good electrical conductivity, tunable morphology, low cost, ease of synthesis and stability. Carbon nanoparticles are classified into two groups based on morphology, one and zero dimensional particles. Carbon nanoparticles at zero dimension, denoted as carbon dots, are less used carbon support compared to other forms. However, recently carbon dots with improved electronic properties have become popular as catalyst as well as catalyst support. This review focused on the recent advances in electrocatalytic activities of carbon dots. The mechanisms of common electrocatalytic reactions and the role of the catalysts are also discussed. The review also proposed future developments and other research directions to overcome current limitations.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.95-104
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• 2014

Electrochemical performance of Li-ion cells with $LiMn_2O_4$ cathodes and graphite anodes with carbonates electrolytes containing quaternary ammonium-based room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated. Eight different ILs based on tetraalkylammonium, pyrrolidinium or piperidinium cations paired with bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide or tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate anions are examined in combination with dimethyl carbonate as a main solvent and fluoroethylene carbonate as a solid electrolyte interface forming agent. It is shown that cycling properties of the cells are strongly affected by the content of ILs in the electrolyte mixtures and its increase corresponds to lower discharge capacity retention. Since viscosity and conductivity of ILs are of a great importance for the electrolytes formulation, some kind of combined parameter should be used for the assessment of IL applicability and calculated values of Walden products for neat ILs represent one of the possible options. Besides, positive effect of ILs on reduction of flammability and enhancement of thermal stability of electrolytes in contact with charged electrodes have been demonstrated by means of self-extinguishing time test and differential scanning calorimetry respectively.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

The interface between the surface of a cathode material and the electrolyte gives rise to surface reactions such as solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and chemical side reactions. These reactions lead to increased surface resistance and charge transfer resistance. It is consequently necessary to improve the electrochemical characteristics by suppressing these reactions. In order to suppress unnecessary surface reactions, we coated cathode material using polypropylene (PP). The PP coating layer effectively reduced the SEI film that is generated after a 4.3 V initial charging process. By mitigating the formation of the SEI film, the PP-coated Li[(Ni_0.6Co_0.1Mn_0.3)_0.36(Ni_0.80Co_0.15Al0.05)_0.64)]O₂(NCS) electrode provided enhanced transport of Li⁺ ions due to reduced SEI resistance (R_SEI) and charge transfer resistance (R_ct). The initial charge and discharge efficiency of the PP-coated NCS electrode was 96.2 % at a current density of 17 mA/g in a voltage range of 3.0 ~ 4.3 V, whereas the efficiency of the NCS electrode was only 94.7 %. The presence of the protective PP layer on the cathode improved the thermal stability by reducing the generated heat, and this was confirmed via DSC analysis by an increased exothermic peak.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.150-155
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• 2015

In this study polymer electrolytes containing ethylene carbonate group which have a high dielectric constant and poly(ethylene glycol) as branches were prepared by the Williamson reaction between poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether and block copolymers composed of glycerol-1,2-carbonate and 4-chloromethyl styrene. Interestingly, the highest ionic conductivity of $1.75{\times}10^{-5}S\;cm^{-1}$ was observed from the polymer electrolyte having 7 mol% of ethylene carbonate and the [EO]:[Li] ratio of 32:1. Moreover, it was found that the electrochemical stability of polymer electrolyte was achieved up to 5.5 V because of the presence of ethylene carbonate.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.1130-1134
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• 2008

Thermal and electrochemical properties were discussed with tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)Phosphine (TTMPP) as a flame retradant additive for Li-ion battery. TTMPP showed excellent thermal stability with charged cathodes. Addition of 1 wt.% of the additive to the electrolyte improved the thermal stability without damaging the performance of the battery. The oxygne evolution reaction delayed nearly by $60^{\circ}C$. The capacity retention ratio in cycle life tests of the battery with 1 wt.% TTMPP was slightly improved comparing to the no additive cells.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.116-120
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• 2015

Lithium diffusivity of fluorine-free and -doped tin-nickel (Sn-Ni) film model electrodes with improved interfacial (solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)) stability has been determined, utilizing variable rate cyclic voltammetry (CV). The method for interfacial stabilization comprises fluorine-doping on the electrode together with the use of electrolyte including fluorinated ethylene carbonate (FEC) solvent and trimethyl phosphite additive. It is found that lithium diffusivity of Sn is largely dependent on the fluorine-doping on the Sn-Ni electrode and interfacial stability. Lithium diffusivity of fluorine-doped electrode is one order higher than that of fluorine-free electrode, which is ascribed to the enhanced electrical conductivity and interfacial stabilization effect.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2018

In aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries, $LiV_3O_8$ exhibits obviously enhanced electrochemical performance after $AlF_3$ surface modification owing to improved surface stability to fragile aqueous electrolyte. The cycle life of $LiV_3O_8$ is significantly enhanced by the presence of an $AlF_3$ coating at an optimal content of 1 wt.%. The results of powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements confirm that the electrochemical improvement can be attributed mainly to the presence of $AlF_3$ on the surface of $LiV_3O_8$. Furthermore, the $AlF_3$ coating significantly reduces vanadium ion dissolution and surface failure by stabilizing the surface of the $LiV_3O_8$ in an aqueous electrolyte solution. The results suggest that the $AlF_3$ coating can prevent the formation of unfavorable side reaction components and facilitate lithium ion diffusion, leading to reduced surface resistance and improved surface stability compared to bare $LiV_3O_8$ and affording enhanced electrochemical performance in aqueous electrolyte solutions.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.45-49
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• 2016

In order to mitigate oxidative degradation of polymer membrane during fuel cell operation, an organic radical quencher was introduced. Rutin was selected as a radical quencher and mixed with sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) to prepare composite membrane. Physicochemical properties of the composite membranes such as water uptake and proton conductivity were characterized. Hydrogen peroxide exposure experiment, which can mimic accelerated oxidative stability test during fuel cell operation, was adopted to evaluate the oxidative stability of the membranes. The composite membranes containing Rutin showed similar proton conductivity and enhanced oxidative stability compared to pristine ones.