• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Capacity of layered lithium nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide ($LiNi_{1-x-y}Co_xMn_yO_2$) cathode material can increase by raising the charge cut-off voltage above 4.3 V vs. $Li/Li^+$, but it is limited due to anodic instability of conventional electrolyte. We have been screening and evaluating various sulfone-based compounds of dimethyl sulfone (DMS), diethyl sulfone (DES), ethyl methyl sulfone (EMS) as electrolyte additives for high-voltage applications. Here we report improved cycling performance of $LiNi_{0.5}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.3}O_2$ cathode by the use of dimethyl sulfone (DMS) additive under an aggressive charge condition of 4.6 V, compared to that in conventional electrolyte, and cathode-electrolyte interfacial reaction behavior. The cathode with DMS delivered discharge capacities of $198-173mAhg^{-1}$ over 50 cycles and capacity retention of 84%. Surface analysis results indicate that DMS induces to form a surface protective film at the cathode and inhibit metal-dissolution, which is correlated to improved high-voltage cycling performance.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2019

Layered $LiNi_{0.83}Co_{0.11}Mn_{0.06}O_2$ cathode materials single- and dual-doped by the rare-earth elements Ce and Nd are successfully fabricated by using a coprecipitation-assisted solid-phase method. For comparison purposes, non-doping pristine $LiNi_{0.83}Co_{0.11}Mn_{0.06}O_2$ cathode material is also prepared using the same method. The crystal structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) mapping, and electrochemical techniques. The XRD data demonstrates that all prepared samples maintain a typical ${\alpha}-NaFeO_2$-layered structure with the R-3m space group, and that the doped samples with Ce and/or Nd have lower cation mixing than that of pristine samples without doping. The results of SEM and EDS show that doped elements are uniformly distributed in all samples. The electrochemical performances of all doped samples are better than those of pristine samples without doping. In addition, the Ce/Nd dual-doped cathode material shows the best cycling performance and the least capacity loss. At a 10 C-rate, the electrodes of Ce/Nd dual-doped cathode material exhibit good capacity retention of 72.7, 58.5, and 45.2% after 100, 200, and 300 cycles, respectively, compared to those of pristine samples without doping (24.4, 11.1, and 8.0%).

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2018

To maximize the areal capacity($mAh\;cm^{-2}$) of $LiNi_{0.5}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.3}O_2$(NCM523) electrode with the same loading level of $15mg\;cm^{-2}$, three NCM523 electrodes with 4, 2, and 1 wt% poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVdF) binder content are fabricated. Due to the delamination issue of electrode composite at the edge during punching process, the 1 wt% electrode is excluded for further evaluation. When the PVdF binder content decreases from 4 to 2 wt%, both adhesion strength and shear stress decrease from 0.4846 to $0.2627kN\;m^{-1}$ by -46% and from 3.847 to 2.013 MPa by -48%, respectively. Regardless of these substantial decline of mechanical properties, their initial electrochemical properties such as initial coulombic efficiency and voltage profile are almost the same. However, owing to high loading level, the 2 wt% electrode not only exhibits worse cycle performance than the 4 wt% electrode, but also cannot maintain its mechanical integrity only after 80 cycles. Therefore, if the binder content is reduced to increase the area capacity, the mechanical properties as well as the cycle performance must be carefully evaluated.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.306-311
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• 2016

Li-air batteries have received much attention due to their superior theoretical energy density. However, their sluggish kinetics on the cathode side is considered the main barrier to high performance. The rational design of electrode catalysts with high activity is therefore an important challenge. To solve this issue, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to analyze the adsorption behavior of the $LiO_2$ molecule, which is considered to be a key intermediate in both the Li-oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the evolution reaction (OER). Specifically, to use the activity descriptor approach, the $LiO_2$ adsorption energy, which has previously been demonstrated to be a reliable descriptor of the cathode reaction in Li-air batteries, was calculated on $LaB_{1-x}B^{\prime}_xO_3$(001) (B, B' = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, x = 0.0, 0.5). Our fast screening results showed that $LaMnO_3$, $LaMn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}O_3$, or $LaFeO_3$ would be good candidate catalysts. We believe that our results will provide a way to more efficiently develop new cathode materials for Li-air batteries.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.79-87
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• 2012

With the increasing size and universalization of lithium-ion batteries, the development of cathode materials has emerged as a critical issue. The energy density of 18650 cylindrical batteries had more than doubled from 230 Wh/l in 1991 to 500 Wh/l in 2005. The energy capacity of most products ranges from 450 to 500Wh/l or from 150 to 190 Wh/kg. Product developments are focusing on high capacity, safety, saved production cost, and long life. As Co is expensive among the cathode active materials $LiCoO_2$, to increase energy capacity while decreasing the use of Co, composites such as $LiMn_2O_4$, $LiCo_{1/3}N_{i1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$, $LiNi_{0.8}Co_{0.15}Al_{0.05}O_2$, and $LiFePO_4$-C (167 mA/g) are being developed. Furthermore, many studies are being conducted to improve the performance of battery materials to meet the requirement of large capacity output density such as 500Wh/kg for electric bicycles, 1,500Wh/kg for electric tools, and 4,000~5,000Wh/kg for EV and PHEV. As new cathodes active materials with high energy capacity such as graphene-sulfur composite cathode materials with 600 Ah/kg and the molecular cluster for secondary battery with 320 Ah/kg are being developed these days, their commercializations are highly anticipated.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.1516-1522
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• 2014

A series of 20 wt % $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 3 wt % $Al_2O_3$ surface treatments were applied to $Li[Li_{0.2}Mn_{0.54}Co_{0.13}Ni_{0.13}]O_2$ substrates. The $Li[Li_{0.2}Mn_{0.54}Co_{0.13}Ni_{0.13}]O_2$ substrates were synthesized using a co-precipitation method. Sample (a) was left pristine and variations of the 20 wt % $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 3 wt % $Al_2O_3$ were applied to samples (b), (c) and (d). XRD was used to verify the space group of the samples as R$\bar{3}$m. Additional morphology and particle size data were obtained using SEM imagery. The $Al_2O_3$ coating layers of sample (b) and (d) were confirmed by TEM images and EDS mapping of the SEM images. 2032-type coin cells were fabricated in a glove box in order to investigate their electrochemical properties. The cells were charged and discharged at room temperature ($25^{\circ}C$) between 2.0V and 4.8V during the first cycle. The cells were then charged and discharged between 2.0V and 4.6V in subsequent cycles. Sample (d) exhibited lower irreversible capacity loss (ICL) in the first charge-discharge cycle as compared to sample (c). Sample (d) also had a higher discharge capacity of ~250 mAh/g during the first and second charge-discharge cycles when compared with sample (c). The rate capability of the $Al_2O_3$-coated sample (b) and (d) was lower when compared with sample (a) and (c). Sample (d), coated with $Al_2O_3$ after the surface treatment with $(NH_4)_2SO_4$, showed an improvement in cycle performance as well as an enhancement of discharge capacity. The thermal stability of sample (d) was higher than that of the sample (c) as the result of DSC.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.196-205
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• 2019

Ni-rich layered oxides $Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_z)O_2$ (x + y + z = 1) have been extensively studied in recent times owing to their high capacity and low cost and can possibly replace $LiCoO_2$ in the near future. However, these layered oxides suffer from problems related to the capacity fading, thermal stability, and safety at high voltages. In this study, we use surface coating as a strategy to improve the thermal stability at higher voltages. The uniform and conformal $Al_2O_3$ coating on prefabricated electrodes using atomic layer deposition significantly prevented surface degradation over prolonged cycling. Initial capacity of 190, 199, 188 and $166mAh\;g^{-1}$ is obtained for pristine, 2, 5 and 10 cycles of ALD coated samples at 0.2C and maintains 145, 158, 151 and $130mAh\;g^{-1}$ for high current rate of 2C in room temperature. The two-cycle $Al_2O_3$ modified cathode retained 75% of its capacity after 500 cycles at 5C with 0.05% capacity decay per cycle, compared with 46.5% retention for a pristine electrode, at an elevated temperature. Despite the insulating nature of the $Al_2O_3$ coating, a thin layer is sufficient to improve the capacity retention at a high temperature. The $Al_2O_3$ coating can prevent the detrimental surface reactions at a high temperature. Thus, the morphology of the active material is well-maintained even after extensive cycling, whereas the bare electrode undergoes severe degradation.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.80-86
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• 2016

High Ni content layered oxide materials for the positive electrode in lithium-ion batteries have high specific capacity. However, their poor electrochemical and thermal stability at elevated temperature restrict the practical use. A small amount of $Al_2O_3$ was added to the mixture of transition metal hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The $LiNi_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}O_2$ was simultaneously doped and coated with $Al_2O_3$ during heat-treatment. Electrochemical characteristics of modified $LiNi_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}O_2$ were evaluated by the galvanostatic cycling and the LSTA(linear sweep thermmametry) at the constant voltage conditions. The nano-sized $Al_2O_3$ added materials show better cycle performance at elevated temperature than that of micro-sized $Al_2O_3$. As the added amount of nano-$Al_2O_3$ increased, the thermal stability of electrode also enhanced, but the use of 2.5 mol% Al showed the best high temperature performance.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate geochemical characteristics for stream sediments in the Naju area. We collected 139 stream sediments samples from primary channels. Samples were dried slowly in the laboratory and chemical analysis was carried out using XRF. ICP-AES and NAA. In order to investigate geochemical characteristics, the geological groups categorized into granitic gneiss area, schist area, granite area, arenaceous rock area, tuff area, andesite area, and rhyolite area. Average contents of major elements for geological groups are $SiO_2\;58.37{\sim}66.06wt.%,\;Al_2O_3\;13.98{\sim}18.41wt.%,\;Fe_2O_3\;4.09{\sim}6.10wt.%,\;CaO\;0.54{\sim}1.33wt.%,\;MgO\;0.86{\sim}1.34wt.%,\;K_2O\;2.38{\sim}4.01wt.%,\;Na_2O\;0.90{\sim}1.32wt.%,\;TiO_2\;0.82{\sim}1.03wt.%,\;MnO\;0.09{\sim}0.15wt.%,\;P_2O_5\;0.11{\sim}0.18wt.%$. According to the comparison of average contents of major elements, $Al_2O_3\;and\;K_2O$ are higher in granitic gneiss area, $Fe_2O_3,\;CaO,\;P_2O_5$ are higher in tuff area, MgO and $TiO_2$ are higher in andesite area, $Na_2O_$ is higher in rhyolite area, $SiO_2$, and MnO are higher in arenaceous rock area. Average contents of minor and rare earth elements for geological groups are $Ba\;1278{\sim}1469ppm,\;Be\;1.1{\sim}1.5ppm,\;Cu\;18{\sim}25ppm,\;Nb\;25{\sim}37ppm,\;Ni\;16{\sim}25ppm,\;Pb\;21{\sim}28ppm,\;Sr\;83{\sim}155ppm,\;V\;64{\sim}98ppm,\;Zr\;83{\sim}146ppm,\;Li\;32{\sim}45ppm,\;Co\;7.2{\sim}12.7ppm,\;Cr\;37{\sim}76ppm,\;Cs\;4.8{\sim}9.1ppm,\;Hf\;7.5{\sim}25ppm,\;Rb\;88{\sim}178ppm,\;Sc\;7.7{\sim}12.6ppm,\;Zn\;83{\sim}143ppm,\;Pa\;11.3{\sim}37ppm,\;Ce\;69{\sim}206ppm,\;Eu\;1.1{\sim}1.5ppm,\;Yb\;1.8{\sim}4.4ppm$. According to the comparison of average contents of minor and rare earth elements for geological groups, Pb, Li, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sb, Pa, Ce, Eu, and Yb are higher in granitic gneiss area; Ba, Co, and Cr in schist area; Nb, Ni, and Zr in arenaceous rock area; Sr in tuff area: and Be, Cu, V, Sc, and Zn are such in andesite area.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 1978

$Zn_{0.105}Co_{0.025}Li_{0.435-1/2x}Ni_x Fe_{2.435-1/2x-y }Mn_y O_4$ 조성의 메모리코어 특성과 $Nb_2O_5$ 및 $V_2O_5$의 소량 첨가가 square-loop성질에 주는 영향을 연구하였다. 위의 조성에서 닉켈의 양 x는 0에서 0.15까지, 그리고 망간의 양 y는 0.05에서 0.25까지 변화시켰다. $Nb_2O_5$와 $V_2O_5$의 양은 각각 위의 화학식에 대하여 0.005에서 0.015까지 변화시켰다. 실험결과에 의하면 $Mn^{+3}$를 octahedral자리에 첨가하였을 때에는 잡음이 감소되었고 메모리코어 squareness와 보자련의 온도계수가 증가하였다. 닉켈을 첨가하였을 때에는 메모리코어의 squareness와 잡음이 증가하였다. $Nb_2O_5$를 소량 첨가하였을 때에는 square-loop성질이 개선되었음에 비하여 $V_2O_5$를 소량 첨가하였을 때에는 square-loop성질이 나빠졌다.