• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2006

Si-C composites were prepared by the carbonization of silicon powder covered by polyaniline(PAn). Physical and electrochemical properties of the Si-C composites were characterized by the particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscope, and electrochemical test of battery. The average particle size of the Si was increased by the coating of PAn and somewhat reduced by the carbonization to give silicone-carbon composites. XRD analysis' results were confirmed co-existence of crystalline silicon and amorphous-like carbon. SEM photos showed that the silicon particle were well covered with carbonacious materials depend on the PAn content. Si-C|Li cells were fabricated using the Si-C composites and were tested using the galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Si-C|Li cells gave better electrochemical properties than that of Si|Li cell. Si-C|Li cell using the Si-C from HCl undoped PAn Precursor showed better electrochemical properties than that from HCl doped PAn Precursor. Using the electrolyte containing FEC as an additive, the initial discharge capacity was increased. After that the galvanostatic charge-discharge test with the GISOC(gradual increasing of the state of charge) condition was carried out. Si-C(Si:PAn:50:50 wt. ratio)|Li cell showed 414 mAh/g of the reversible specific capacity, 75.7% of IIE(initial intercalation efficiency), 35.4 mAh/g of IICs(surface irreversible specific capacity).

• Clean Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2021

In order to address many issues associated with large volume changes of silicon, which has very low electrical conductivity but offers about 10 times higher theoretical capacity than graphite (Gr), a silicon nanoparticles/hollow carbon (SiNP/HC) composite having bimodal-mesopores was prepared using silica nanoparticles as a template. A control SiNP/C composite without a hollow structure was also prepared for comparison. The physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of SiNP/HC were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements for surface area and pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, galvanostatic cycling, and cyclic voltammetry tests to compare them with those of the SiNP/C composite. The SiNP/HC composite showed significantly better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/C, with minimal increase in electrode thickness after long cycles. A hybrid composite, SiNP/HC@Gr, prepared by physical mixing of the SiNP/HC and Gr at a 50:50 weight ratio, exhibited even better cycle life and efficiency than the SiNP/HC at low capacity. Thus, silicon/carbon composites designed to have hollow spaces capable of accommodating volume expansion were found to be highly effective for long cycle life of silicon-based composites. However, further study is required to improve the low initial coulombic efficiency of SiNP/HC and SiNP/HC@Gr, which is possibly because of their high surface area causing excessive electrolyte decomposition for the formation of solid-electrolyte-interface layers.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2021

In this study, effects of the physical and chemical properties of low temperature heated carbon on electrochemical behavior as a secondary battery anode material were investigated. A heat treatment at 600 ℃ was performed for coking of petroleum based pitch, and the manufactured coke was heat treated with different heat temperatures at 700~1,500 ℃ to prepare low temperature heated anode materials. The physical and chemical properties of carbon anode materials were studied through nitrogen adsorption and desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis. Also the anode properties of low temperature heated carbon were considered through electrochemical properties such as capacity, initial Coulomb efficiency (ICE), rate capability, and cycle performance. The crystal structure of low temperature (≤ 1500 ℃) heated carbon was improved by increasing the crystal size and true density, while the specific surface area decreased. Electrochemical properties of the anode material were changed with respect to the physical and chemical properties of low temperature heated carbon. The capacity and cycle performance were most affected by H/C atomic ratio. Also, the ICE was influenced by the specific surface area, whereas the rate performance was most affected by true density.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.31-41
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• 2016

This study was conducted to develop a handy earth auger for use in sloppy and rugged forest terrains in order to reduce labor cost which comprises a major part of the production costs in forest afforestation projects. The first prototype is developed consist of two parts, the soil-digging screw and the battery power source. The specifications of the first prototype screw are: length of 170mm, a top diameter of 60mm, bottom diameter of 47mm, 23° angle for each helix, and a 50mm awl-head tip. The use of a single line of screw was selected for reduced weight. In addition, a power source of rotary DC Motor(WD-6G2425, WONILL, Korea) with a maximum torque of 30kgf-cm, rotation of 20-30rpm, K6G30C decelerator with a reduction ratio of 30:1 which could be used with no load for 48 was operated. In consideration of its weight, a lithium battery was utilized in line with the goal of developing a lightweight auger. In order to evaluate the performance of the first prototype, test sites were selected as 6 areas. The rotational force was found to be highest in area A(Solid area), followed by areas F(Mounted slope 40° area) and E(Mounted slope 30° area). It was also observed that in general, the rotational force increased along with the increase in soil depth with the maximum rotational force recorded at 10cm.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2005

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is considered as a candidate for portable power sources, that could overcome the disadvantages of lithium battery. But in order to attain commercial viability the long term stability of the DMFC should be achieved. Understanding the long-term behavior of membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is a prerequisite to this purpose and the optimization of the MEA is also needed. In this study we have investigated the changes in performance and electrochemical properties of the MEA during extended operation and the effects of heat treatment of MEA on the long-term performance. The MEAs have been treated in an autoclave with saturated water vapor at 120$^{\circ}C$, vacuum oven at 140$^{\circ}C$ and boiling in organic solvents. The autoclaved MEA was found to be have the best long term performance. The on-off operation mode also increased the performance probably due to effective removal of products from the electrodes. Physical and electrochemical analyses using a scanning electron microscope, impedance analyser and half-cell technique have been done to characterize the MEAs.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2014

In this article, we report the fabrication and characterization of carbon sphere/$Fe_3O_4$ nanocomposite for Li/air batteries. $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles are dispersed homogeneously on the surface of carbon spheres in an attempt to enhance the low conductivity of oxide catalyst ($Fe_3O_4$). The carbon sphere/$Fe_3O_4$ nanocomposite could offer wide surface area of $Fe_3O_4$ and increased carbon/catalyst contact area, which lead to enhanced catalytic activity. The electrode employing carbon sphere/$Fe_3O_4$ nanocomposite presented relatively low overpotential and stable cyclic performance compared with the electrode employing carbon sphere.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.208-213
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• 2011

Solid polymer electrolytes using $BF_3LiMA$ as monomer were synthesized by usual one step radical polymerization in THF solvent. The effect of $BF_3LiMA$ concentration on ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability was investigated by AC impedance measurement and linear sweep voltammetry. As a result, the highest ionic conductivity reached $7.71{\times}10^{-6}S\;cm^{-1}$ at $25^{\circ}C$ was obtained in 12.9 wt% of $BF_3LiMA$ content. Further increase or decrease of $BF_3LiMA$ content result to decrease the ionic conductivity due to the brittle matrix properties in former case and the insufficient number of charge carrier in the latter case. Furthermore, since the counter-anion was immobilized in the self-doped solid polymer electrolytes, high electrochemical stability up to 6.0 V was observed even in $60^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2014

In this study, crosslinked poly(POEM-co-AMPSLi-co-GMA)s were prepared by epoxy coupling of GMA after radical copolymerization of AMPS, POEM and GMA followed by acid-base titration reaction between sulfonic acid of AMPS and $Li_2CO_3$. It was observed that the crystalline melting temperature of POEM was effected by mol% of components and shifted to lower value by lithiation of AMPS group. The ionic conductivity of crosslinked polymer electrolyte was decreased by addition of GMA but maintained over $1.0{\times}10^{-6}S\;cm^{-1}$ until 16 mol%. Particularly, the self-doped polymer electrolyte with 2 mol% of GMA showed its ionic conductivity as high as $4.08{\times}10^{-6}S\;cm^{-1}$ at room temperature and electrochemical stability up to 6 V. In addition, 0.11 MPa of modulus and 270% of elongation were obtained from the free standing film of crosslinked polymer electrolyte.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.511-516
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• 2004

A Li$[Co_{0.17}Li_{0.28}Mn_{0.55}]O_2$ cathode compound was prepared by a simple combustion method. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that this compound could be classified as ${\alpha} -NaFeO_2$ structure type with the lattice constants of a = 2.8405(9) ${\AA}$ and c = 14.228(4) ${\AA}$. According to XANES analysis, the oxidation state of Mn and Co ions in the compound were 4+ and 3+, respectively. During the first charge process, the irreversible voltage plateau at around 4.65 V was observed. The similar voltage-plateau was observed in the initial charge profile of other solid solution series between $Li_2MnO_3\;and\;LiMnO_2$ (M=Ni, Cr...). The first discharge capacity was 187 mAh/g and the second discharge capacity increased to 204 mAh/g. As the increase of cycling number, one smooth discharge profile was converted to two distinct sub-plateaus and the discharge capacity was slowly decreased. From the Co and Mn K-edge XANES spectra measured at different cyclic process, it can be concluded that irreversible transformation of phase is occurred during continuous cycling process.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.446-452
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• 2019

We have developed a method that can leach Co, Mn, and Ni in the cathode active material safely using lactic acid. When cathode active material was leached by lactic acid, lactic acid showed the highest efficiency at 2 N than 1 N and above 4 N concentration. When the cathode active material was added incrementally into the solution of lactic acid, the maximum solubility was 30 g/L at 2 N concentration. Oxalic acid was added in the solution of lactic acid and it showed that rare metals represent the most economical recovery efficiency at 4 g/L. Based on this study, it was found that the optimal condition for recovery of rare metals from cathode active material is oxalic acid : cathode active material = 7 : 1 as a ratio of weight. In addition, it was observed that the precipitate produced by oxalic acid is a polynuclear crystalline material bonded with 3 components of Co, Ni, and Mn.