• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.534-538
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• 2017

In this study, the molecular weight controlled pitches derived from pyrolyzed fuel oil (PFO) were prepared using solvent extraction and were carbonized. Electrochemical characteristics of lithium battery anode materials were investigated using these petroleum pitches. Three pitch samples prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3 h), 4001 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h). The prepared hexane insoluble pitches were analysed by XRD, TGA, SEM and Gel permeation Chromatography (GPC). The electrochemical characteristics of the PFO-derived pitch as an anode material were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests. The coin cell using pitch (4001) and the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ in organic solvents (EC : DMC = 1 : 1 vol%, VC 3 wt%) has better initial capacity (310 mAh/g) than that of other pitch coin cells. Also, this carbon anode showd a high initial efficiency of 82%, retention rate capability at 2 C/0.1 C of 90% and cycle retention of 85%. It was found that modified pitches improved the cycling and rate capacity performance.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.142-149
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• 2020

In this study, the electrochemical performance of Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites as anode material was investigated to improve the low theoretical capacity of artificial graphite. Spherical artificial graphite surface was coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) amphiphiles material to synthesize Graphite/Silica material by silica islands growth. The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites were prepared by petroleum pitch coating and magnesiothermic reduction. The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composite electrodes manufactured using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) binders. The coin type half cell was assembled using various electrolytes and additives. The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The electrochemical characteristics of Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composite were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites showed high cycle stability at a graphite/silica/pitch ratio (1:4:8 wt%). When the electrode is prepared using PAA binder, the high capacity and stability is obtained. The coin type half cell assembled using EC: DMC: EMC electrolyte showed high initial capacity (719 mAh/g) and excellent cycle stability. The rate performance has an capacity retention (77%) at 2 C/0.1 C and an capacity recovery (88%) at 0.1 C / 0.1 C when the vinylene carbonate (VC) was added.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.308-312
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• 2013

Active carbons with high specific surface area and micro pore structure were prepared from the coconut shell char using the chemical activation method of NaOH. The preparation process has been optimized through the analysis of experimental variables such as activating chemical agents to char ratio and the flow rate of gas during carbonization. The active carbons with the surface area (2,481 $m^2/g$) and mean pore size (2.32 nm) were obtained by chemical activation with NaOH. The electrochemical performances of hybrid capacitor were investigated using $LiMn_2O_4$, $LiCoO_2$ as the positive electrode and prepared active carbon as the negative electrode. The electrochemical behaviors of hybrid capacitor using organic electrolytes ($LiPF_6$, $TEABF_4$) were characterized by constant current charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, cycle and leakage tests. The hybrid capacitor using $LiMn_2O_4$/AC electrodes had better capacitance than other hybrid systems and was able to deliver a specific energy as high as 131 Wh/kg at a specific power of 1,448 W/kg.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2019

In this study, the electrochemical characteristics of Graphite/Silicon/Pitch anode composites were analyzed to improve the low theoretical capacity of graphite as a lithium ion battery. The Graphite/Silica composites were synthesized by bonding silica onto polyvinylpyrrolidone coated graphite. The surface of used silica was treated with (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane(APTES). Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites were prepared by carbonization of petroleum pitch, the fabrication processes including the magnesiothermic reduction of nano silica to obtain silicon and varying the mass ratio of silica. The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composites were analysed by XRD, SEM and XRD. Also the electrochemical performances of Graphite/Silicon/Pitch composite as the anode of lithium ion battery were investigated by constant current charge/discharge, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests in the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ dissolved in organic solvents (EC:DMC:EMC=1:1:1 vol%). The Graphite/Silicon/Pitch anode composite (silica 28.5 in weight) has better capacity (537 mAh/g). The cycle performance has an excellent capacity retention to 30th cycle of 95% and the retention rate capability of 98% in 0.1 C/0.2 C.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.451-458
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• 2022

Through the crystal alignment research based on the magnetic properties of LiNi_xMn_yCo_1-(x+y)O₂ such as magnetic susceptibility and related anisotropy, a crystal aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode is obtained, in which the (00l) plane is frequently oriented perpendicular to the surface of a current collector. The crystal aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode steadily exhibits low electrode polarization properties during the charge/discharge process in a lithium-ion battery, thus affording an improved capacity compared to a pristine LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode. The aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode may have an appropriate structural nature for fast lithium-ion transport due to the oriented (00l) plane, and thus it contributes to enhancing the battery performance. This enhancement is analyzed in terms of various electrochemical theories and experiment results; thus, it is verified to occur because of the considerably fast lithium-ion transport in the aligned LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ electrode.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.746-752
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• 2016

In this study, soft carbon was prepared by carbonization of carbon precursor (pitch) obtained from PFO (pyrolysis fuel oil) heat treatment. Three carbon precursors prepared by the thermal reaction were 3903 (at $390^{\circ}C$ for 3 h), 4001 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 h) and 4002 (at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 h). After the prepared soft carbon was ground to a particle size of $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$, the soft carbon was synthesised by the chemical treatment with boric acid ($H_3BO_3$). The prepared soft carbon were analysed by XRD, FE-SEM and XPS. Also, the electrochemical performances of soft carbon were investigated by constant current charge/discharge test, cyclic voltammetry and impedance tests in the electrolyte of $LiPF_6$ dissolved inorganic solvents (EC:DMC=1:1 vol%+VC 3 wt%). The coin cell using soft carbon of $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$ with 3903 soft carbon ($H_3BO_3$/Pitch=3:100 in weight) has better initial capacity and efficiency (330 mAh/g, 82%) than those of other coin cells. Also, it was found that the retention rate capability of 2C/0.1C was 90% after 30 cycles.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2010

A $Cu_3Si$ film electrode is obtained by Si deposition on a Cu foil using DC magnetron sputtering, which is followed by annealing at $800^{\circ}C$ for 10 h. The Si component in $Cu_3Si$ is inactive for lithiation at ambient temperature. The linear sweep thermammetry (LSTA) and galvano-static charge/discharge cycling, however, consistently illustrate that $Cu_3Si$ becomes active for the conversion-type lithiation reaction at elevated temperatures (> $85^{\circ}C$). The $Cu_3Si$ electrode that is short-circuited with Li metal for one week is converted to a mixture of $Li_{21}Si_5$ and metallic Cu, implying that the Li-Si alloy phase generated at 0.0 V (vs. Li/$Li^+$) at the quasi-equilibrium condition is the most Li-rich $Li_{21}Si_5$. However, the lithiation is not extended to this phase in the constant-current charging (transient or dynamic condition). Upon de-lithiation, the metallic Cu and Si react to be restored back to $Cu_3Si$. The $Cu_3Si$ electrode shows a better cycle performance than an amorphous Si electrode at $120^{\circ}C$, which can be ascribed to the favorable roles provided by the Cu component in $Cu_3Si$. The inactive element (Cu) plays as a buffer against the volume change of Si component, which can minimize the electrode failure by suppressing the detachment of Si from the Cu substrate.