• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2024

This paper presents applications of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) energy storage batteries, while showing merits and demerits of several techniques to mitigate their electrochemical challenges. Unmanned aerial vehicles, electric cars, and grid-scale energy storage systems represent main applications of Li-S batteries due to their low cost, high specific capacity, and light weight. However, polysulfide shuttle effects, low conductivities, and low coulombic efficiencies signify key challenges of Li-S batteries, causing high volumetric changes, dendritic growths, and limited cycling performances. Solid-state electrolytes, interfacial interlayers, and electrocatalysts denote promising methods to mitigate such challenges. Moreover, nanomaterials have capability to improve kinetic reactions of Li-S batteries based on several properties of nanoparticles to immobilize sulfur in cathodes, stabilizing lithium in anodes while controlling volumetric growths. Li-S energy storage technologies are able to satisfy requirements of future markets for advanced rechargeable batteries with high-power densities and low costs, considering environmentally friendly systems based on renewable energy sources.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.603-608
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• 2017

$Si_3N_4$ is a ceramic material attracting attention in many fields because of its excellent abrasion resistance. In addition, Ti and TiAl alloys are metals used in a variety of high temperature environments, and have attracted much attention because of their high strength and high melting points. Therefore, study of the interface reaction between $Si_3N_4/Ti$ and $Si_3N_4/TiAl$ can be a useful practice to identify phase selection and diffusion control. In this study, $Si_3N_4/Ti_5Si_3+TiN/TiN/Ti$ diffusing pairs were formed in the $Si_3N_4/Ti$ interfacial reaction and $Si_3N_4/TiN(Al)/Ti_3Al/TiAl$ diffusion pathway was identified in the $Si_3N_4/TiAl$ interfacial reaction. The diffusion layers of the interface reactions were identified and, to investigate the kinetics of the diffusion layer, the integrated diffusion coefficients were estimated.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.288-294
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• 1999

In the flip chip interconnection using solder bump, the Under Bump Metallurgy (UBM) is required to perform multiple functions in its conversion of an aluminum bond pad to a solderable surface. In this study, various UBM systems such as $Al 1\mu\textrm{m} / Ti 0.2\mu\textrm{m} / Cu 5\mu\textrm{m}, Al 1\mu\textrm{m} / Ti 0.2\mu\textrm{m} / Cu 1\mu\textrm{m}, al 1\mu\textrm{m}/Ni 0.2\mu\textrm{m} / Cu 1\mu\textrm{m} and Al 1\mu\textrm{m}/Pd 0.2\mu\textrm{m} / Cu 1\mu\textrm{m}$ for flip chip interconnection using the low melting point eutectic 63Sn-37Pb solder were investigated and compared to their metallurgical properties. $100\mu\textrm{m}$ size bumps were prepared for using an electroplating process. The effects of the number of reflows and aging time on the growth of intermetallic compounds(IMC) were investigated. $Cu_6Sn_5$ and $Cu_3Sn$ IMC were abserved after aging treatment in the UBM system with thick coper $(Al 1\mu\textrm{m}/Ti 0.2\mu\textrm{m}/Cu 5\mu\textrm{m})$. However only the $Cu_6Sn_5$ was detected in the UBM system with $1\mu\textrm{m}$ thick copper even after 2 reflow and 7 day aging at $150^{\circ}C$. Complete Cu consumption by Cu-Sn IMC growth gives rise to a direct contact between solder inner layer such as Ti, Ni and Pd, and hence to possibly cause reactions between two of them. In this study, however, only for the Pd case, IMC of PdSn. was observed by Cu consumption. UBM interfacial reactions with s이der affected the adhesion strength ot s이der balls after s이der reflow and annealing treatment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.140-140
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• 2009

The Metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor (MFS) structure has superior advantages such as high density integration and non-destructive read-out operation. However, to obtain the desired electrical characteristics of an MFS structure is difficult because of interfacial reactions between ferroelectric thin film and Si substrate. As an alternative solution, the MFS structure with buffer insulating layer, i.e. metal-ferroelectric-insulator-semiconductor (MFIS), has been proposed to improve the interfacial properties. Insulators investigated as a buffer insulator in a MFIS structure, include $Ta_2O_5$, $HfO_2$, and $ZrO_2$ which are mainly high-k dielectrics. In this study, we prepared the Dy-doped $La_2O_3$ solution buffer layer as an insulator. To form a Dy-doped $La_2O_3$ buffer layer, the solution was spin-coated on p-type Si(100) wafer. The coated Dy-doped $La_2O_3$ films were annealed at various temperatures by rapid thermal annealing (RTA). To evaluate electrical properties, Au electrodes were thermally evaporated onto the surface of the samples. Finally, we observed the surface morphology and crystallization quality of the Dy-doped $La_2O_3$ on Si using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD), respectively. To evaluate electrical properties, the capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of Au/Dy-doped La2O3/Si structure were measured.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 2018

This study investigated the effects of the post annealing temperatures on the electrical and interfacial properties of a metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector(MSM-PD) device. The interdigitate type MSM-PD devices had the structure Al(500 nm) / Ti(200 nm) / poly-Si(500 nm). Structural analyses of the MSM-PD devices were performed by employing X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and transmission electron microscope(TEM). Electrical characteristics of the MSM-PD were also examined using current-voltage(I-V) measurements. The optimal post annealing condition for the Schottky contact of MSM-PD devices are $350^{\circ}C$-30minutes. However, as the annealing temperature and time are increased, electrical characteristics of MSM-PD device are degraded. Especially, for the annealing conditions of $400^{\circ}C$-180minutes and $500^{\circ}C$-30minutes, the I-V measurement itself was impossible. These results are closely related to the solid phase reactions at the interface of MSM-PD device, which result in the formation of intermetallic compounds such as $Al_3Ti$ and $Ti_7Al_5Si_{12}$.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

This study investigates the effects of a carbon fiber layer formed on the surface of an etched aluminum current collector on the electrochemical properties of the activated carbon electrodes for an electric double layer capacitor. A particle size analyzer, field-emission SEM, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm analyzer are employed to analyze the structure of the carbon fiber layer. The electric and electrochemical properties of the activated carbon electrodes using a carbon fiber layer are evaluated using an electrode resistance meter and a charge-discharge tester, respectively. To uniformly coat the surface with carbon fiber, we applied a planetary mill process, adjusted the particle size, and prepared the carbon paste by dispersing in a binder. Subsequently, the carbon paste was coated on the surface of the etched aluminum current collector to form the carbon under layer, after which an activated carbon slurry was coated to form the electrodes. Based on the results, the interface resistance of the EDLC cell made of the current collector with the carbon fiber layer was reduced compared to the cell using the pristine current collector. The interfacial resistance decreased from 0.0143 Ω·cm² to a maximum of 0.0077 Ω·cm². And degradation reactions of the activated carbon electrodes are suppressed in the 3.3 V floating test. We infer that it is because the improved electric network of the carbon fiber layer coated on the current collector surface enhanced the electron collection and interfacial diffusion while protecting the surface of the cathode etched aluminum; thereby suppressing the formation of Al-F compounds.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2010

The surface film, which is formed on graphite negative electrodes during the initial charging, is a key component in lithium secondary batteries. The battery reactions are strongly affected by the nature of the surface film. It is thus very important to understand the physicochemical properties of the surface film. On the other hand, the surface film formation is a very complicated interfacial phenomenon occurring at the graphite/electrolyte interface. In studies on electrode surfaces in lithium secondary batteries, in-situ experimental techniques are very important because the surface film is highly reactive and unstable in the air. In this respect electrochemical atomic force microscopy (ECAFM) is a useful tool for direct visualizing electrode/solution interfaces at which various electrochemical reactions occur under potential control. In the present review, mechanism of surface film formation and its correlation with electrolyte are summarized on the basis of in-situ ECAFM studies for understanding of the nature of the surface film on graphite negative electrodes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.263-263
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• 2013

This work examines the dynamic properties of ice surfaces in vacuum for the temperature range of 140~180 K, which extends over the onset temperatures for ice sublimation and the phase transition from amorphous to crystallization ice. In particular, the study focuses on the transport processes of excess protons and chloride ions in ice and their segregative behavior to the ice surface. These phenomena were studied by conducting experiments with a relatively thick (~100 BL) ice film constructed with a bottom $H_2O$ layer and an upper $D_2O$ layer, with excess hydronium and chloride ions trapped at the $H_2O$/$D_2O$ interface as they were generated by the ionization of hydrogen chloride. The migration of protons, chloride ions, and water molecules to the ice film surface and their H/D exchange reactions were measured as a function of temperature using the methods of low energy sputtering (LES) and Cs+ reactive ion scattering (RIS). Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments monitored the desorption of water and hydrogen chloride from the surface. Our observations indicated that both hydronium and chloride ions migrated from the interfacial layer to segregate to the surface at high temperature. Hydrogen chloride gas desorbs via recombination reaction of hydronium and chloride ions floating on the surface. Surface segregation of these species is driven by thermodynamic potential gradient present near the ice surface, whereas in the bulk, their transport is facilitated by thermal diffusion process. The finding suggests that chlorine activation reactions of hydrogen chloride for polar stratospheric ice particles occur at the surface of ice within a depth of at most a few molecular layers, rather than in the bulk phase.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.162-173
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• 2023

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for energy storage owing to their safety and cost efficiency. However, their lifespan is limited by the irreversibility of Zn anodes because of Zn dendrite growth and side reactions such as the hydrogen evolution reaction and corrosion during cycling. Herein, we present a strategy to restrict direct contact between the Zn anode and aqueous electrolyte by fabricating a protective layer on the surface of Zn foil via phosphidation method. The Zn₃(PO₄)₂ protective layer effectively suppresses Zn dendrite growth and side reactions in aqueous electrolytes. The electrochemical properties of the Zn₃(PO₄)₂@Zn anode, such as the overpotential, linear polarization resistance, and hydrogen generation reaction, indicate that the protective layer can suppress interfacial corrosion and improve the electrochemical stability compared to that of bare Zn by preventing direct contact between the electrolyte and the active sites of Zn. Remarkably, MnO₂ Zn₃(PO₄)₂@Zn exhibited enhanced reversibility owing to the formation a stable porous layer, which effectively inhibited vertical dendrite growth by inducing the uniform plating of Zn²⁺ ions underneath the formed layer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.426-439
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• 2017

This review summarizes advantage and limitation in infrared spectroscopy and computational chemistry to understand rhizospheric interaction among organic acids, oxyanions and metal oxides. Since organic acids and metal oxides determine dynamics of oxyanions in the soil environment, knowledge of fundamental mechanisms is a prerequisite for understanding the interactions at soil-water interface. Attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is a powerful tool to measure the interfacial reactions. However, the ATR-FTIR measurements are abstruse, because the optical characteristics for measurements are variable depending on the experimental setup. In addition, spectral overlapping is a primary obstacle to the analysis of the interfacial reaction; thus, it is essential to detect and to deconvolute bands for signal interpretation. In this review, we expained the fundamental principle for spectrum processing, and four band identification methods, such as derivative spectroscopy, two-dimension correlation spectroscopy, multivariate curve resolution, and computational chemistry with example of aqueous phosphate speciation. As a result, spectrum processing and computational chemistry improved interpretation and spectral deconvolution of overlapped spectra in relatively simple systems, but it was still unsatisfactory for the problems in more complexed system like nature. Nevertheless, we believed that our challenge would contribute practically to develop adequate analytical procedure, signal processing and protocols that could help to improve interpretation and to understand the interfacial interactions of oxyanions in natural systems.