• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1998

For the purpose of finding new cathode materials for medium-temperature $(700\~800^{\circ}C)$ solid oxide fuel cells, $Gd_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3,\;(x=0.0\~0.5)$ are prepared, and their thermal stability and conductivity characteristics are investigated. Also, the cathodic activities are measured after the cathode layer being attached on CGO (cerium-gadolinium oxide) electrolyte disk. The X-ray analyses indicate that the materials prepared by calcining the citrate-gels at $800^{\circ}C$ have the orthorhombic perovskite structure without discernible impurities. The thermal stability of the undoped Co perovskite is so poor that it is decomposed to the individual binary oxide even at $1300^{\circ}C$. But the partially Fe-doped cobaltates exhibit a better thermal stability to retain their structural integrity up to $1400^{\circ}C$. The observation whereby both the undoped and Fe-doped cobaltates melt at ca. $1300^{\circ}C$ leads us to perform the electrode adhesion at <$1300^{\circ}C$. The cathodic activity of $Gd_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3,\;(x=0.0\~0.5)$, electrodes is superior to $La_{0.9}Sr_{0.1}MnO_3$, among the samples of $x=0.0\~0.5$, the x=0.2 cathode shows the best activity for the oxygen reduction reaction. It is likely that the Fe-doping provides a better thermal stability to the materials but in turn imparts an inferior cathodic activity, such that the optimum trade-off is made at x=0.2 between the two factors. The total electrical conductivity and ion conductivity of $Gd_{0.8}Ca_{0.2}Co_{1-x}Fe_xO_3$, are measured to be 51 S/cm and $6.0\times10^{-4}S/cm\;at\;800^{\circ}C$, respectively. The conductivity values illustrate that the materials are a mixed conductor and the reaction sites can be expanded to the overall electrode surface, thereby providing a better cathodic activity than $La_{0.9}Sr_{0.1}MnO_3$.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2013

In order to overcome the cost issue for commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), this research was conducted for replacing platinum cathode catalyst with non-precious metal catalyst. The non-precious metal catalyst (Co-PANI-C) was synthesized by the simple reduction method with polyaniline (PANI), carbon black, and cobalt precursor without any heat treatment. Characterization of new Co-PANI-C composite catalysts was done by the measurement of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for structure analysis and performed by rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) for electrochemical analysis. As a result, Co-PANI-C catalyst showed 60 mV lower on-set potential for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) than Pt/C catalyst, but the overall reduction current of Co-PANI-C catalysts by ORR was still smaller than that of Pt/C. In addition, the ORR behavior of Co-PANI-C catalysts depending on the rotation speed of electrode and the stability of Co-PANI-C catalyst under potential cycling and the performance of fuel cell conditions are also discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2005

$LiMO_{2}(M=Co,Ni)$ samples were synthesized with $Li_{2}CO_{3},\;Co_{3}O_{4}$, and NiO by the solid-state reaction method. In the case of $LiCoO_{2}$, at low temperature$(T=400^{\circ}C)$ spinel structure was synthesized and the obtained spinel phase was transformed to layered phase at high temperature$(T\ge600^{\circ}C)$. The phase transition behaviors of $LiCoO_{2}$ were investigated with various heating temperature and time. The rate of transition was directly proportional to the concentrations of reactant, and activation energy of reaction was around 6.76 kcal/mol. When CoO(rock salt structure) was used as a starting material instead of $Co_{3}O_{4}$(spinel structure), layered structure of $LiCoO_{2}$ was obtained at low temperature. In the case of $LiNiO_{2}$ the transition from layered structure to rock salt structure occurred easily by disordering/ordering reaction, but did not occur in $LiCoO_{2}$. The difference in metal ion radii in $LiCoO_{2}$ and $LiNiO_{2}$ results in different behaviors of phase transitions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.398-402
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• 2012

Synthesis of $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was attempted by the conventional solid-state reaction method, and the phase formation behavior according to the change of the calcination condition was investigated. When the mixture of the three source materials, $Li_2O$, MnO and $SiO_2$ powders, were used for calcination in air, it was difficult to develop the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ phase because the oxidation number of $Mn^{2+}$ could not be maintained. Therefore, two-step calcination was applied: $Li_2SiO_3$ was made from $Li_2O$ and $SiO_2$ at the first step, and $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was synthesized from $Li_2SiO_3$ and MnO at the second step. It was easy to make $Li_2MnSiO_3$ from $Li_2O$ and $SiO_2$. $Li_2MnSiO_4$ single phase was developed by the calcination at $900^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr in Ar atmosphere as the oxidation of $Mn^{2+}$ was prevented. However, the $Li_2MnSiO_4$ was ${\gamma}-Li_2MnSiO_4$, one of the polymorph of $Li_2MnSiO_4$, which could not be used as the cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. By applying the additional low temperature annealing at $400^{\circ}C$, the single phase ${\beta}-Li_2MnSiO_4$ powder was synthesized successfully through the phase transition from ${\gamma}$ to ${\beta}$ phase.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.145-149
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• 2007

Electrochemical studies were performed for a single particle of nickel hydroxide for the cathode of Ni-MH batteries. A carbon fiber microelectrode was manipulated to make electrical contact with an alloy particle, and electrochemical experiments were performed. As a result of cyclic voltammetry, the oxidation/reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are clearly separated for a single particle. The total cathodic charge (Qred) is practically constant for the scan rate investigated, indicating that the whole particle has reacted. The total anodic charge(Qox) was larger than that of reduction reaction, and the magnitude of oxygen evolution taking place as a side reaction was enhanced at lower scan rates. As a result of galvanostatic charge and discharge measurement, the discharge capacity of single particle was found to be 250 mAh/g, value being very close to the theoretical capacity (289 mAh/g). The apparent proton diffusion coefficient(Dapp) using potential step method inside the nickel hydroxide was found to range within $3{\sim}4{\times}10^{-9}\;cm^2/s$.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.154-161
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• 2022

The carbon-neutrality induced by the global warming is important for the modern society. Hydrogen has been received the attention as a new energy source to replace the fossil fuels. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, which convert the chemical reaction energy of hydrogen into electric power directly, are a type of eco-friendly power for future vehicles. Due to the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction and costly Pt catalyst in the cathode, the research related to the replacement of Pt-based catalysts has been vitally carried out. In this case, however, the performance is significantly different from each other and a variety of factors have existed. In this review paper, we rearrange and summarize relevant papers published within 5 years approximately. The selection of precursors, synthesis method, and co-catalyst are represented as a core factor, while the necessity of research for the further enhancement of activity may be raised. It can be anticipated to contribute to the replacement of precious metal catalysts in the various fields of study. The final objective of the future research is depicted in detail.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.371-378
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• 2004

The $SrGa_2S_4:Eu^{2+}$ green emitting phosphor has been studied as a luminous device for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or FED (Field Emission Display) and EL (Electroluminescence). This phosphor, also, is under noticed for LED (Lighting Emitting Diode) phosphor, which makes use of excitation characteristics of long wavelength region. The $SrGa_2S_4:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor was prepared generally conventional synthesis method using flux. However, this method needs high heat-treated temperature, long reaction time, complex process and harmful $H_2S$or $CS_2$ gas. In this works, therefore, we have synthesized $SrGa_2S_4:Eu^{2+}$ using SrS, $Ga_2S_3$, and EuS as starting materials, and the mixture gas of 5% H2/95% N2 was used to avoid the $H_2S$or $CS_2$. We investigated the luminescence characteristic of $SrGa_2S_4:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor prepared in various synthesis conditions, performed post-treatment and sieving process for application to LED.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.172-175
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• 2001

Nanophase catalyst layer for direct methanol fuel cell has been fabricated by magnetron sputtering method. Catalyst metal targets and carbon were sputtered simultaneously on the Nafion membrane surface at abnormally higher gas (Ar/He mixture) pressure than that of normal thin film processing. They could be coated as a novel structure of catalyst layer containing porous PtRu or Pt and carbon particles both in nanometer range. Membrane electrode assembly made with this layer led to a reduction of the catalyst loading. At the catalyst loading of 1.5mg $PtRu/cm^2$ for anode and 1mg $Pt/cm^2$ for cathode, it could provide $45 mW/cm^2$ in the operation at 2 M methanol, 1 Bar Air at 80"C. It is more than $30\%$ increase of the power density performance at the same level of catalyst loading by conventional method. This was realized due to the ultra fine particle sizes and a large fraction of the atoms lie on the grain boundaries of nanophase catalyst layer and they played an important role of fast catalyst reaction kinetics and more efficient fuel path. Commercialization of direct methanol fuel cell for portable electronic devices is anticipated by the further development of such design.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.306-309
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• 2005

One of the most critical issues in sol id oxide fuel cell (SOFC)running on hydrocarbon fuels is the risk of carbon formation from the fuel gas. The simple method to reduce the risk of carbon formation from the reactions is to add steam to the fuel stream, leading to the carbon gasification react ion. However, the addition of steam to fuel is not appropriate for the auxiliary power unit (APU) and potable power generation (PPG) systems due to an increase of complexity and bulkiness. In this regard, many researchers have focused on so-called 'direct methane' operation of SOFC, which works with dry methane without coking. However, coking can be suppressed only by the operation with a high current density, which may be a drawback especially for the APU and PPG systems. The single chamber fuel cell (SC-SOFC) is a novel simplification of the conventional SOFC into which a premixed fuel/air mixture is introduced. It relies on the selectivity of the anode and cathode catalysts to generate a chemical potential gradient across the cell. Moreover it allows compact and seal-free stack design. In this study, we fabricated honeycomb type mixed-gas fuel cell (MGFC) which has advantages of stacking to the axial direction and increasing volume power density. Honeycomb-structured SOFC with four channels was prepared by dry pressing method. Two alternative channels were coated with electrolyte and cathode slurry in order to make cathodic reaction sites. We will discuss that the anode supported honeycomb type cell running on mixed gas condition.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2008

Electrochemical studies were performed by a half-cell test for the nickel hydroxide (cathode) and hydrogen storage alloy(anode) electrodes for the sealed Ni-MH batteries applicable to industrial use. The electrodes were fabricated and checked a charge efficiency and an internal pressure of the battery during charge-discharge cycling. In order to reduce the internal pressure of the sealed Ni-MH battery, cyclic voltammetry (CV) were performed on the electrodes of nickel hydroxide(cathode) and hydrogen storage alloy(anode), respectively. The results of the test showed clearly the oxidation/reduction and oxygen evolution reaction in a nickel hydroxide electrode and the hydrogenation behavior of a hydrogen storage electrode. The sealed Ni-MH battery of 130Ah was fabricated by using nickel hydroxide of a high over-voltage for an oxygen gas evolution and hydrogen storage alloy of a good performance for activation The battery showed a good characteristics such as a high charge efficiency of 98% at 1 C charge current, a low level internal pressure of 4 atm on a continuous over-charging and a large preservation capacity of 95% at 400 cycle.