• Resources Recycling
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.3-14
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• 2019

Copper is used in many electronic components and construction parts due to its excellent electrical conductivity and heat transfer characteristics, and also used for pre-plating for double layer coating such as nickel, so that copper is an essential material in modern industry. Despite the expected increase of usage and importance on wiring, sensors and data equipment in the next generation industries, it is hard for securing stable copper supply and resource management resulting from the copper prices are fluctuating owing to the economic crisis in Europe, the low economic growth trend in China, and President Trump's commitment to public industrial facilities investment in U.S.. Since most of the domestic copper consumption is used by electrolytic copper cathode, we studied not only copper recycling technology which is being commercialized but also current research trend under the research stage. This study aims to examine the characteristics of each process and the areas where future recycling technology development is required.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.614-618
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• 2021

As the size of market for electric vehicles and energy storage systems grows, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is increasing. Currently, commercial LIBs are fabricated with liquid electrolytes, which have some safety issues such as low chemical stability, which can cause ignition of fire. As a substitute for liquid electrolytes, solid electrolytes are now being extensively studied. However, solid electrolytes have disadvantages of low ionic conductivity and high resistance at interface between electrode and electrolyte. In this study, Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZO), one of the best ion conducting materials among oxide based solid electrolytes, is fabricated through RF-sputtering and various electrochemical properties are analyzed. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of LLZO are found to significantly improve with co-sputtered Li₂O. An all-solid thin film battery is fabricated by introducing a thin film solid electrolyte and an Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) cathode; resulting electrochemical properties are also analyzed. The LLZO/Li₂O (60W) sample shows a very good performance in ionic conductivity of 7.3×10^-8 S/cm, with improvement in c-rate and stable cycle performance.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.40-49
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• 2022

In this study, the phase and electrochemical properties of Co and Ti substituted layered perovskites SmBaCo_2-xTi_xO_5+d (x=0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5) were analyzed, and their application as electrodes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were evaluated. After calcination at 1300℃ for 6 h, a single phase was observed for two compositions of the SmBaCo_2-xTi_xO_5+d oxide system, SmBaCoTiO_5+d (x=1.0) and SmBaCo_0.9Ti_1.1O_5+d (x=1.1). However, the phases of SmBaCoTiO_5+d (SBCTO) and SmTiO₃ coexisted for compositions with x≥1.3 (Ti content). In contrast, for compositions of x≤0.7, the SmBaCo₂O_5+d phase was observed instead of the SmTiO₃ phase. To evaluate the applicability of these materials as SOFC electrodes, the electrical conductivities were measured under various atmospheres (air, N₂, and H₂). SBCTO exhibited stable semi-conductor electrical conductivity behavior in an air and N₂ atmosphere. However, SBCTO showed insulator behavior at temperatures above 600℃ in a H₂ atmosphere. Therefore, SBCTO may only be used as cathode materials. Moreover, SBCTO had an area specific resistance (ASR) value of 0.140 Ω·cm² at 750℃.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.210-215
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• 2022

Extensive research is being carried out on Ni-rich Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_1-x-y)O₂ (NCM) due to the growing demand for electric vehicles and reduced cost. In particular, Ni-rich Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_1-x-y-zAl_z)O₂ (NCMA) is attracting great attention as a promising candidate for the rapid development of Co-free but electrochemically more stable cathodes. Al, an inactive element in the structure, helps to improve structural stability and is also used as a doping element to improve cycle capability in Ni-rich NCM. In this study, NCMA was successfully synthesized with the desired composition by direct coprecipitation. Boron and tin were also used as dopants to improve the battery performance. Macro- and microstructures in the cathodes were examined by microscopy and X-ray diffraction. While Sn was not successfully doped into NCMA, boron could be doped into NCMA, leading to changes in its physicochemical properties. NCMA doped with boron revealed substantially improved electrochemical properties in terms of capacity retention and rate capability compared to the undoped NCMA.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2017

Layered Ni-rich NCM cathode materials $Li[Ni_xCo_{(1-x)/2}Mn_{(1-x)/2}]O_2$ ($x{\geq}0.6$) have advantages of high energy density and cost competitive over $LiCoO_2$. The discharge capacity of NCM increases proportionally to the Ni contents. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize the stable electrochemical performance due to cation mixing. In this study, synthesis conditions for the layered Ni-rich NCMs are investigated to achieve deliver the ones having good electrochemical performances. Synthesis parameters are atmosphere, lithium source, synthesis time, synthesis temperature and Li/M (M=transition metal) ratio. The degree of cation mixing gets worse as the Ni content is increased from $Li[Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}]O_2$ (NCM6) to $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.1}]O_2$ (NCM8). It is confirmed that higher level of cation mixing affects negatively on the electrochemical performance of NCMs. Optimum synthesis conditions are explored for NCMx (x=6, 7, 8) in order to reduce the cation mixing. Under optimized conditions for three representative NCMx, a high initial discharge capacity and a good cycle life are obtained for $180mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 96.2% (50 cycle) in NCM6, $187mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 94.7% (50 cycle) in NCM7, and $201mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 92.7% (50 cycle) in NCM8, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.542-549
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• 2015

The bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion for sewage sludge was attempted at different applied voltages ranged from 0.2 V to 0.4 V. At 0.3 V of the applied voltage, pH and VFAs were at 7.32 and 760 mg COD/L, respectively, which were quite stable. The methane production rate was $1.32L\;CH_4/L.d$, and the methane content in biogas was 73.8%, indicating that the performance of the bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion could be considerably improved by applying a low voltage. At 0.4 V of the applied voltage, however, the contents of the minor VFA components including formic acid and propionic acid were increased. The methane production rate was reduced to $1.24L\;CH_4/L.d$ and the biogas methane content was also reduced to 72.4%. At 0.2 V of the applied voltage, the pH was decreased to 6.3, and VFAs was accumulated to 5,684 mg COD/L. The contents of propionic acid and butyric acid in the VFAs were considerably increased, The performances in terms of the methane production rate and the biogas methane content were deteriorated. The poor performance of the bioelectrochemical reactor at 0.2 V of the applied voltage was ascribed to the thermodynamic potential lack for the driving of the carbon dioxide reduction into methane at cathode.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.106-110
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• 2002

Gel-type polyacrylonitrile(PAN) polymer electrolytes have been prepared using ethylene carbonate(EC), propylene carbonate(PC) and dimethyl carbonate(DMC) plasticizer, $LiPF_6$ salt and $TiO_2$ ceramic filler. Electrochemical properties, such as electrochemical stability, ionic conductivity and compatibility with lithium metal and mechanical properly of polymer electrolytes were investigated. Charge/discharge performance of lithium secondary battery using these polymer electrolytes were investigated. The maximum load that the polymer electrolyte resists increased about two times as a result of adding $TiO_2$ in the polymer electrolyte containing EC and PC. Polymer electrolyte containing EC, PC and $TiO_2$ also showed ionic conductivity of $2\times10^{-3} S/cm$ at room temperature and electrochemical stability window up to 와 4.5V. Polymer electrolyte containing EC, PC, and $TiO_2$ showed the most stable interfacial resistance of $130\Omega$ during 20 days in the impedance spectra of the cells which were constructed by lithium metals as electrodes. Lithium metal secondary battery which employed $LiCoO_2$ cathode, lithium metal anode and $TiO_2$-dispersed polymer electrolyte showed $90\%$ of charge/discharge efficiency at the 1C rate of discharge.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.15-15
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• 1999

In chip plating, several parameters must be taken into consideration. Current density, solution concentration, pH, solution temperature, components volume, chip and media ratio, barrel geometrical shape were most likely found to have an effect to the process yields. The 3 types of barrels utilized in chip plating industry are the conventional rotating barrel. vibrational barrel (vibarrel), and the centrifugal type. Conventional rotating barrel is a close type and is commonly used. The components inside the barrel are circulated by the barrel's rotation at a horizontal axis. Process yield has known to have higher thickness deviation. The vibrational barrel is an open type which offers a wide exposure to electrolyte resulting to a stable thickness deviation. It rotates in a vertical axis coupled with multi-vibration action to facilitate mixed up and easy transportation of components, The centrifugal barrel has its plated work centrifugally compacted against the cathode ring for superior electrical contact with simultaneous rotary motion. This experiment has determined the effect of barrel vibration intensity to the plating thickness distribution. The procedures carried out in the experiment involved the overall plating process., cleaning, rinse, Nickel plating, Tin-Lead plating. Plating time was adjusted to meet the required specification. All other parameters were maintained constant. Two trials were performed to confirm the consistency of the result. The thickness data of the experiment conducted showed that the average mean value obtained from higher vibrational intensity is nearer to the standard mean. The distribution curve shown has a narrower specification limits and it has a reduced variation around the target value, Generally, intensity control in vi-barrel facilitates mixed up and easy transportation of components, However, it is desirable to maintain an optimum vibration intensity to prevent solution intrusion into the chips' internal electrode. A cathodic reaction can occur in the interface of the external and internal electrode. $2HD{\;}+{\;}e{\;}{\rightarrow}20H{\;}+{\;}H_2$ Hydrogen can penetrate into the body and create pressure which can cause cracks. At high intensity, the chip's motion becomes stronger, its contact between each other is delayed and so plating action is being controlled. However, the strong impact created by its collision can damage the external electrode's structure thereby resulting to bad plating condition. 1 lot of chip was divided into two equal partion. Each portion was loaded to the same barrel one after the other. Nickel plating and tin-lead plating was performed in the same station. Portion A maintained the normal barrel vibration intensity and portion B vibration intensity was increased two steps higher. All other parameters, current, solution condition were maintained constant. Generally, plating method find procedures were carried out in a best way to maintained the best plating condition. After plating, samples were taken out from each portion. molded and polished. Plating thickness was investigated for both. To check consistency of results. 2nd trial was done now using different lot of another characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 1999

Composite air electrodes of 50/50 vol% LSM- YSZ where LSM =$\textrm{La}_{1-x}\textrm{Sr}_{x}\textrm{MnO}_{3}$(0$\leq$x$\leq$0.5) were prepared by colloidal deposition technique. The electrodes were then examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and studied by ac impedance spectroscopy in order to improve the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Reproducible impedance spectra were confirmed by using the improved cell, consisting of LSM- YSZ/YSZ/LSM-YSZ. These spectra were a strong function of operating temperature and the stable conditions for the cells were typically reached at $900^{\circ}C$. The typical spectra measured for an air//air cell at $900^{\circ}C$ were composed of two arcs. Addition of YSZ to the LSM electrode led to a pronounced decrease in cathodic resistivity of LSM-YSZ composite electrodes. Polishing the electrolyte surface to eliminate the influences of surface impurities could further reduce cathode resistivity. The cathodic resistivity of the LSM-YSZ electrodes with catalytic interlayer (Ni or Sr) was much smaller than that of LSM-YSZ electrodes without catalytic interlayer. In addition, the cathodic resistivity of the LSM-YSZ electrodes was a strong function of composition of electrode materials, the electrolyte geometry, and applied current.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.162-168
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• 2013

$Li_2MnO_3-LiMO_2$(M=Ni, Co, Mn) nano-composite is a promising cathode material for xEV application due to its high theoretic capacity. However high voltage operating system of $Li_2MnO_3-LiMO_2$(M=Ni, Co, Mn) has worked as a hurdle in its application because of the inherent demerits, such as cycle life degradation and gas evolution. In order to enhance cell performance of $Li_2MnO_3-LiMO_2$(M=Ni, Co, Mn)/graphite cell, we examined electrolyte mainly composed of FEC, fluroalkyl ether and $LiPF_6$ (F-based EL). F-based EL showed much better discharging retention ratio than 1.3 M $LiPF_6$ EC/EMC/DMC (3/4/3, v/v/v) (STD). Furthermore gas evolution, especially CO and $CO_2$ during $60^{\circ}C$ storage for 30 days was dramatically reduced owing to thermal stable SEI formation effect of F-based EL.