• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2003

This study proposed a new electrolytic reduction technology that is based on the integration of simultaneous uranium oxide metallization and Li$_2$O electrowinning. In this electrolytic reduction reaction, electrolytically reduced Li deposits on cathode and simultaneously reacts with uranium oxides to produce uranium metal showing more than 99% conversion. For the verification of process feasibility, the experiments to obtain basic data on the metallization of uranium oxide, investigation of reaction mechanism, the characteristics of closed recycle of Li$_2$O and mass transfer were carried out. This evolutionary electrolytic reduction technology would give benefits over the conventional Li-reduction process improving economic viability such as: avoidance of handling of chemically active Li-LiCl molten salt increase of metallization yield, and simplification of process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.345-345
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• 2009

전기화학적 환원 기술을 이용한 고온 용융염 전해환원의 결과 생산되는 금속전환체는 다공성 특성에 의해 전해환원의 매질인 용융염을 함유하게 된다. 전해환원과 후속 전기화학 공정인 전해정련의 전해질은 각각 LiCl과 LiCl-KCl 공융염으로 상이하기 때문에 이렇게 금속전환체에 포함된 LiCl 염이 동반되어 전해정련 공정에 도입될 경우 전해정련 공정의 공융염 조성을 어긋나게 한다. 이에 따라 금속전환체의 잔류염은 효과적으로 제거되어야 하며 공정으로 감압 증류에 의한 잔류염 제거 공정이 고려되고 있다. LiCl은 증기압이 비교적 낮기 때문에 감압의 고온 조건이 공정에 필요하다. 그러나 상평형도 분석 결과 전해환원 공정에서 산화물을 담아 음극으로 사용되어 환원된 금속전환체와 함께 도입되는 SUS 재질의 바스켓과 사용후핵연료 금속전환체의 주된 원소인 우라늄과는 공융할 수 있기 때문에 LiCl 증발 온도는 $720^{\circ}C$ 이하로 유지되어야 한다. 이와 같은 조건에서 LiCl 증발 속도를 높이기 위해서는 감압 조건이 필수적이다. 본 연구에서는 감압조건에서 LiCl 휘발 실험을 위해 폐쇄형 및 개방형 반응기를 제작하여 압력 조건 및 Ar 유량 등에 따른 LiCl 휘발율을 측정하였다. 증발된 LiCl은 일정 감압 조건에서 분말형으로 냉각부위에 회수 될 수 있었으나 완전 진공 조건에서는 결정형으로 냉각 부위에 응축되는 것으로 확인 되었으며 일정 진공 조건에서는 Ar 유량에 따라 증발량이 의존하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 연구 결과 증발염의 취급 빛 이송을 위해 분말형 회수를 목표로 설정할 수 있었으며 공정조건으로 일정 수준의 감압 조건을 제시하였다. 이 후 후속 연구로 장치의 대형화 및 증발 속도 향상을 위한 추가적인 연구가 계획되어 있으며 연구 결과에 기초하여 공학규모 파이로 공정 시설인 PRIDE에 도입될 장치의 기초 설계 자료를 생산할 예정이다.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.17-31
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• 2023

Amidst escalating global warming fueled by indiscriminate fossil fuel consumption, concerted efforts are underway worldwide to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction technology is recognized as a promising and environmentally friendly approach to convert CO₂ into valuable hydrocarbon compounds, deemed essential for achieving carbon neutrality. Copper, among the various materials used as CO₂ reduction electrodes, is known as the sole metal capable of generating C₂₊ compounds. However, low conversion efficiency and selectivity have hindered its widespread commercialization. This review highlights diverse research endeavors to address these challenges. It explores various studies focused on utilizing copper-based electrodes for CO₂ reduction, offering insights into potential solutions for advancing this crucial technology.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2023

As the use of lithium-ion secondary batteries is rapidly increasing due to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, the disposal and recycling of spent batteries after use has been raised as a serious problem. Since stored energy must be removed in order to recycle the spent batteries, an effective discharging process is required. In this study, graphite and NCM622 were used as active materials to manufacture coin-type half cells and full cells, and the electrochemical behavior occurring during overdischarge was analyzed. When the positive and negative electrodes are overdischarged respectively using a half-cell, a conversion reaction in which transition metal oxide is reduced to metal occurs first in the positive electrode, and a side reaction in which Cu, the current collector, is corroded following decomposition of the SEI film occurs in the negative electrode. In addition, a side reaction during overdischarge is difficult to occur because a large polarization at the initial stage is required. When the full cell is overdischarged, the cell reaches 0 V and the overdischarge ends with almost no side reaction due to this large polarization. However, if the full cell whose capacity is degraded due to the cycle is overdischarged, corrosion of the Cu current collector occurs in the negative electrode. Therefore, cycled cell requires an appropriate treatment process because its electrochemical behavior during overdischarge is different from that of a fresh cell.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

Ionic liquids are expanding their applications in various fields of chemistry, due to their unique properties such as negligible volatility, immisciblity with hydrocarbons, high electrical conductivity, and tunable acidity and basicity. In this paper, the physical properties, synthesis, and commercial applications of ionic liquids are discussed. Recent research trends are also briefly reviewed, particularly on application of ionic liquids to catalysis, biomass, and $CO_{2}$ capture and utilization.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.21-29
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• 2024

Globally, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is surging due to carbon-neutral strategies aimed at decarbonization. Consequently, the demand for lithium-ion batteries, which are essential components of EVs, is also rising, leading to an increase in the generation of spent batteries. This has prompted research into the recycling of spent batteries to recover valuable metals. In this study, we aimed to selectively leach and recover lithium from the cathode material of spent LFP batteries. To enhance the reaction surface area and reactivity, the binder in the cathode material powder was removed, and the material was subjected to heat treatment in both atmospheric and nitrogen environments across various temperature ranges. This was followed by a mechanochemical process for aqueous leaching. Initially, after heat treatment, the powder was converted into a soluble lithium compound using sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) in a mechanochemical reaction. Subsequently, aqueous leaching was performed using distilled water. This study confirmed the changes in the characteristics of the cathode material powder due to heat treatment. The final heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere resulted in a lithium leaching efficiency of approximately 100% across all temperature ranges.