• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.424-432
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• 2019

Planar BiVO₄ and 3 wt% Mo-doped BiVO₄ (abbreviated as Mo:BiVO₄) film were prepared by the facile spin-coating method on fluorine doped SnO₂(FTO) substrate in the same precursor solution including the Mo precursor in Mo:BiVO₄ film. After annealing at a high temperature of 450℃ for 30 min to improve crystallinity, the films exhibited the monoclinic crystalline phase and nanoporous architecture. Both films showed no remarkably discrepancy in crystalline or morphological properties. To investigate the effect of surface passivation exploring the Al₂O₃ layer, the ultra-thin Al₂O₃ layer with a thickness of approximately 2 nm was deposited on BiVO₄ film using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. No distinct morphological modification was observed for all prepared BiVO₄ and Mo:BiVO₄ films. Only slightly reduced nanopores were observed. Although both samples showed some reduction of light absorption in the visible wavelength after coating of Al₂O₃ layer, the Al₂O₃ coated BiVO₄ (Al₂O₃/BiVO₄) film exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical performance in 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ solution (pH 6.5), having higher photocurrent density (0.91 mA/㎠ at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), briefly abbreviated as V_RHE) than BiVO₄ film (0.12 mA/㎠ at 1.23 V_RHE). Moreover, Al₂O₃ coating on the Mo:BiVO₄ film exhibited more enhanced photocurrent density (1.5 mA/㎠ at 1.23 V_RHE) than the Mo:BiVO₄ film (0.86 mA/㎠ at 1.23 V_RHE). To examine the reasons, capacitance measurement and Mott-Schottky analysis were conducted, revealing that the significant degradation of capacitance value was observed in both BiVO₄ film and Al₂O₃/Mo:BiVO₄ film, probably due to degraded capacitance by surface passivation. Furthermore, the flat-band potential (V_FB) was negatively shifted to about 200 mV while the electronic conductivities were enhanced by Al₂O₃ coating in both samples, contributing to the advancement of PEC performance by ultra-thin Al₂O₃ layer.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

In this study, Nafion membrane was modified to prevent methanol crossover by layer-by-layer self assembly using polyaniline (PANi) as a polycation and sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) as a polyanion onto the Nafion surface. Since PANi and SPES possess thermal and chemical stability and rigid backbone, their layer-by-layer self-assembled films on the Nafion are expected to reduce methanol permeability and to increase mechanical stability. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy verified a linear build-up of the multilayers of PANi and SPES. We found that the thickness per bilayer was about 10 nm by TEM measurement. Although modified Nafion membrane exhibited 15% decrease of proton conductivity, it reduceded 67% of methanol permeability compared to that of the pristine Nafion membrane, resulting in 2.5 times larger selectivity. At the performance test of the fuel cell using 5M methanol as a fuel, the modified Nafion membrane showed 2.4 times higher maximum power density at $30^{\circ}C$ and 1.4 times larger at $60^{\circ}C$ than the pristine Nafion.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.52-56
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• 2002

Tin oxide was coated on graphite particle by sol-gel method and an electrode with this material having microcrystalline structure for lithium ion battery was obtained by heat treatment in the range $400-600^{\circ}C$. The content of tin oxide was controlled within the range of $2.25wt\%\~11.1wt\%$. The discharge capacity increased with the content of tin oxide and also initial irreversible capacity increased. The discharge capacity of tin oxide electrode showed more than 350 mAh/g at the initial cycle and 300 mAh/g after the 30th cycle in propylene carbonate(PC) based electrolyte whereas graphite electrode without surface modification showed 140 mAh/g. When the charge and discharge rate was changed from C/5 to C/2, The discharge capacity of tin oxide and graphite electrode showed $92\%\;and\;77\%$ of initial capacity, respectively. It has been considered that such an enhancement of electrode characteristics was caused because lithium $oxide(Li_2O)$ passive film formed from the reaction between tin oxide and lithium ion prevented the exfoliation of graphite electrode and also reduced tin enhanced the electrical conduction between graphite particles to improve the current distribution of electrode.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.301-310
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• 2014

In this study, the silica nanoparticles were considerably chosen to improve a dimensional stability, proton transport and electrochemical performance of the resulting inorganic-organic nanocomposite membranes. For this purpose, hydrophobic silica (Aerosil$^{(R)}$ 812, Degussa) and hydrophilic silica (Aerosil$^{(R)}$ 380, Degussa) nanoparticles were, respectively, introduced into a Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) polymer matrix. The $SiO_2$ particles are evenly dispersed in a SPAES matrix by the aid of a non-ionic surfactant (Pluronics$^{(R)}$ L64). A $SiO_2$ content plays an important role in membrane microstructures and membrane properties such as proton conductivity and water uptake. Therefore, to study nanocomposite membranes with excessive amount of silica, the content of silica nanoparticles were increased up to 5 wt%. Interestingly, a hydrophobic $SiO_2$ containing nanocomposite membrane showed better electrochemical performance (29% higher than pristine SPAES) despite of low proton conductivity due to its adhesive properties with a catalyst layer in a single cell test. All the silica-SPAES membranes exhibited better performance than a pristine SPAES membrane.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

Lithium metal is the most promising anode for next-generation lithium-ion batteries due to its lowest reduction potential (-3.04 V vs. SHE) and high specific capacity (3860 mAh/g). However, the dendritic formation under high charging current density remains one of main technical barriers to be used for commercial rechargeable batteries. To address these issues, tremendous research to suppress lithium dendrite formation have been conducted through new electrolyte formulation, robust protection layer, shape-controlled lithium metal, separator modification, etc. However, Li/Li symmetric cell test is always a starting or essential step to demonstrate better lithium dendrite formation behavior with lower overpotential and longer cycle life without careful analysis. Thus, this review summarizes overpotential behaviors of Li/Li symmetric cells along with theoretical explanations like initial peaking or later arcing. Also, we categorize various overpotential data depending on research approaches and discuss them based on peaking and arcing behaviors. Thus, this review will be very helpful for researchers in lithium metal to analyze their overpotential behaviors.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.529-533
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• 2023

The fundamental electrochemical properties and adsorption capabilities of the carbonized product derived from coffee grounds, a prevalent form of lignocellulose abundantly generated in our daily lives, have been extensively investigated. The structure and morphology of the resultant carbonized product, obtained through a carbonization process conducted at a relatively low temperature of 600 ℃, were meticulously examined using a scanning electron microscope. Raman spectroscopy measurements yielded a relative crystallinity (D/G ratio) of the carbon product of 0.64. Electrical measurements revealed a linear ohmic relationship within the carbonized product. Furthermore, the viability of utilizing this carbonized material as an anode in lithium-ion batteries was evaluated through half-cell charge/discharge experiments, demonstrating an initial specific capacity of 520 mAh/g. Additionally, the adsorption performance of the carbon material towards a representative dye molecule was assessed via UV spectroscopy analyses. Supplementary experiments corroborated the material's ability to adsorb a distinct model molecule characterized by differing surface polarity, achieved through surface modification. This article presents pivotal findings that hold substantial implications for forthcoming research endeavors centered around the recycling of lignocellulose waste.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.39.1-39.1
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• 2009

NiTi alloy is widely used innumerous biomedical applications (orthodontics, cardiovascular, orthopaedics, etc.) for its distinctive thermomechanical and mechanical properties such as shape memory effect, super elasticity, low elastic modulus and high damping capacity. However, NiTi alloy is still a controversial biomaterial because of its high Ni content which can trigger the risk of allergy and adverse reactions when Ni ion releases into the human body. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of the TiNi alloy and suppress the release of Ni ions, many surface modification techniques have been employed in previous literature such as thermal oxidation, laser surface treatment, sol-gel method, anodic oxidation and electrochemical methods. In this paper, the NiTi was electrochemically etched in various electrolytes to modify surface. The microstructure, element distribution, phase composition and roughness of the surface were investigatedby scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Systematic controlling of nano and submicron surface features was achieved by altered density of hydro fluidic acid in etchant solution. Nanoscale surface topography, such as, pore density, pore width, pore height, surface roughness and surface tension were extensively analyzed as systematical variables.Importantly, bone forming cell, osteoblast adhesion was increased in high density of hydro fluidic treated surface structures, i.e., in greater nanoscale surface roughness and in high surface areas through increasing pore densities.All results delineate the importance of surface topography parameter (pores) inNiTi to increase the biocompatibility of NiTi in identical chemistry which is crucial factor for determining biomaterials.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

Nuclear power plants (NPP) using Alloy 600 (Ni 75wt%, Cr 15wt%, Fe 10wt%) as a heat exchanger tube of the steam generator (SG) have experienced various corrosion problems by ageing such as pitting, intergranular attack (IGA) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC). In spite of much effort to reduce the material degradations, SCC is still one of important problems to overcome. Especially lead is known to be one of the most deleterious species in the secondary system that cause SCC of the alloy. Even Alloy 690 (Ni 60wt%, Cr 30wt%, Fe 10wt%) as an alternative of Alloy 600 because of outstanding superiority to SCC is also susceptible to leaded environment. An oxide on SG tubing materials such as Alloy 600 and Alloy 690 is formed and modified expanding to complex sludge throughout hideout return (HOR) of various impurities including Pb. Oxide formation and breakdown is requisite for SCC initiation and propagation. Therefore it is expected that an oxide property such as a passivity of an oxide formed on steam generator tubing materials is deeply related to PbSCC and an inhibitor to hinder oxide modification by lead efficiently can be found. In the present work, the SCC susceptibility obtained by using a slow strain rate test (SSRT) in aqueous solutions with and without lead was discussed in view of the oxide property. The oxides formed on Alloy 600 and Alloy 690 in aqueous solutions with and without lead were examined by using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM), an energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.306-313
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• 2004

Many of the current development in surface modification engineering are focused on multilayered coatings, which have the potential to improve the tribological properties. Four different multilayered coatings were deposited on AISI D2 steel in this study. The prepared samples are designed as $WC-Ti_{0.6}Al_{0.4}N,\;WC-Ti_{0.53}Al_{0.47}N,\;WC-Ti_{0.5}Al_{0.5}N\;and\;WC-Ti_{0.43}Al_{0.57}N$. The multilayered coatings were investigated with respect to coating surface and cross-sectional morphology, roughness, adhesion, hardness, porosity and tribological behaviors. Especially, wear tests of four multilayered coatings were performed by using a ball-on-disc configuration with a linear sliding speed of 0.017 m/sec and a normal load of 5.38 N load. The tests were carried out at room temperature in air by employing AISI 52100 steel ball $(H_R\;=\;66) $ having a diameter of 10 mm. The surface morphology, and topography of the wear scars of samples and balls have been determined by using scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). Also, wear mechanism was determined by using SEM coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results have showed an improved wear resistance of the $WC-Ti_{1-x}Al_xN$coatings with increasing of Al (aluminum) concentration.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2018.06a
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• pp.74-74
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• 2018

Ti-6Al-4V alloys have been widely used as orthopedic materials because of their excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. However, it does not bind directly to the bone, so it requires a surface modification. This problem can be solved by nanotube and micropore formation. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treatment for micropore, which combines high-voltage spark and electrochemical oxidation, is a new way of forming a ceramic coating on light metals such as titanium and its alloys. This method has excellent reproducibility and can easily control the shape and size of the Ti alloy. In this study, formation of bioactive surface by PEO-treatment after $2^{nd}$ ATO technique of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was invesgated by various instrument. Nanotube oxide surface structure was formed on the surface by anodic oxidation treatment in 0.8 wt.% NaF and 1M $H_3PO_4$ electrolytes. After nanotube formation, nanotube layer was removed by ultrasonic cleaning. PEO-treatment was carried out at 280V for 3 minutes in the electrolytic solution containing the bioactive substance (Mg, Zn, Mn, Sr, and Si). The surface of Ti-6Al-4V alloy was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM, S-4800 Hitachi, Japan). An energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS, Inca program, Oxford, UK) was used to analyze the spectra of physiologically active Si, Mn, Mg, Zn, and Sr ions. The PEO film formed on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface was characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (TF-XRD, X'pert Philips, Netherlands). It is confirmed that bioactive ions play an essential role in the normal bone growth and metabolism of the human skeletal tissues.