• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.279-284
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• 2021

The high theoretical specific capacity of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries makes them a more promising energy storage system than conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the slow kinetics of the electrochemical conversion reaction seriously hinders the utilization of Li-S as an active battery material and has prevented the successful application of Li-S cells. Therefore, exploration of alternatives that can overcome the sluggish electrochemical reaction is necessary to increase the performance of Li-S batteries. In this work, an ionic liquid (IL) is proposed as a functional additive to promote the electrochemical reactivity of the Li-S cell. The sluggish electrochemical reaction is mainly caused by precipitation of low-order polysulfide (l-PS) onto the positive electrode, so the IL is adopted as a solubilizer to remove the precipitated l-PS from the positive electrode to promote additional electron transfer reactions. The ILs effectively dissolve l-PS and greatly improve the electrochemical performance by allowing greater utilization of l-PS, which results in a higher initial specific capacity, together with a moderate retention rate. The results presented here confirmed that the use of an IL as an additive is quite effective at enhancing the overall performance of the Li-S cell and this understanding will enable the construction of highly efficient Li-S batteries.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2019

As a promising candidate for anode materials in lithium ion battery (LIB), tungsten trioxide ($WO_3$) and tungsten disulfide ($WS_2$) nanocrystals were synthesized, and their electrochemical properties were comprehensibly studied using a half cell. One-dimensional $WO_3$ nanowires with uniform diameter of 10 nm were synthesized by hydrothermal method, and two-dimensional (2D) $WS_2$ nanosheets by unique gas phase sulfurization of $WO_3$ using $H_2S$. $WS_2$ nanosheets exhibits uniformly 10 nm thickness. The $WO_3$ nanowires and $WS_2$ nanosheets showed maximum capacities of 552 and $633mA\;h\;g^{-1}$, respectively, after 100 cycles. Especially, the capacity of $WS_2$ is significantly larger than the theoretical capacity ($433mA\;h\;g^{-1}$). We also examined the cycling performance using a larger size $WO_3$ and $WS_2$ nanocrystals, showing that the smaller size plays an important role in enhancing the capacity of LIBs. The larger capacity of $WS_2$ nanosheets than the theoretical value is ascribed to the lower charge transfer resistance of 2D nanostructures.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2021

Nickel-rich lithium nickel-cobalt-manganese oxides (NCM) are viewed as promising cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs); however, their poor cycling performance at high temperature is a critical hurdle preventing expansion of their applications. We propose the use of a functional electrolyte additive, triphenyl phosphate (TPPa), which can form an effective cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) layer on the surface of Ni-rich NCM cathode material by electrochemical reactions. Linear sweep voltammetry confirms that the TPPa additive is electrochemically oxidized at around 4.83 V (vs. Li/Li+) and it participates in the formation of a CEI layer on the surface of NCM811 cathode material. During high temperature cycling, TPPa greatly improves the cycling performance of NCM811 cathode material, as a cell cycled with TPPa-containing electrolyte exhibits a retention (133.7 mA h g-1) of 63.5%, while a cell cycled with standard electrolyte shows poor cycling retention (51.3%, 108.3 mA h g-1). Further systematic analyses on recovered NCM811 cathodes demonstrate the effectiveness of the TPPa-based CEI layer in the cell, as electrolyte decomposition is suppressed in the cell cycled with TPPa-containing electrolyte. This confirms that TPPa is effective at increasing the surface stability of NCM811 cathode material because the TPPa-initiated POx-based CEI layer prevents electrolyte decomposition in the cell even at high temperatures.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.474-480
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• 2022

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are powerful energy storage devices with several advantages, including high energy density, large voltage window, high cycling stability, and eco-friendliness. However, demand for ultrafast charge/discharge performance is increasing, and many improvements are needed in the electrode which contains the carbon-based active material. Among LIB electrode components, the conductive additive plays an important role, connecting the active materials and enhancing charge transfer within the electrode. This impacts electrical and ionic conductivity, electrical resistance, and the density of the electrode. Therefore, to increase ultrafast cycling performance by enhancing the electrical conductivity and density of the electrode, we complexed Ketjen black and graphene and applied conductive agents. This electrode, with the composite conductive additives, exhibited high electrical conductivity (12.11 S/cm), excellent high-rate performance (28.6 mAh/g at current density of 3,000 mA/g), and great long-term cycling stability at high current density (88.7 % after 500 cycles at current density of 3,000 mA/g). This excellent high-rate performance with cycling stability is attributed to the increased electrical conductivity, due to the increased amount of graphene, which has high intrinsic electrical conductivity, and the high density of the electrode.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.159-163
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• 2023

Zinc-ion Batteries (ZIBs) are currently considered to be effective energy storage devices for wearable electronics because of their low cost and high safety. Indeed, ZIBs show high power density and safety compared with conventional lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and exhibit high energy density in comparison with supercapacitors (SCs). However, in spite of their advantages, further current collector development is needed to enhance the electrochemical performance of ZIBs. To design the optimized current collector for high performance ZIBs, a high quality graphene film is suggested here, with improved electrical conductivity by controlling the defects in the graphene film. The graphene film showed improved electrical conductivity and good electron transfer between the current collector and active material, which led to a high specific capacity of 346.3 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 100 mA g^-1, a high-rate performance with 116.3 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 2,000 mA g^-1, and good cycling stability (68.0 % after 100 cycles at a current density of 1,000 mA g^-1). The improved electrochemical performance is firmly because of the defects-controlled graphene film, leading to improved electrical conductivity and thus more efficient electron transfer between the current collector and active material.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.466-477
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• 2023

The increasing demand for high-performance energy storage systems has highlighted the limitations of conventional Li-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly regarding safety and energy density. All-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) have emerged as a promising next-generation energy storage system, offering the potential to address these issues. By employing nonflammable solid electrolytes and utilizing high-capacity electrode materials, ASSBs have demonstrated improved safety and energy density. Automotive and energy storage industries, in particular, have recognized the significance of advancing ASSB technology. Although the use of Li metal as ASSB anode is promising due to its high theoretical capacity and the expectation that Li dendrites will not form in solid electrolytes, persistent problems with Li dendrite formation during cycling remain. Therefore, the exploration of novel high-performance anode materials for ASSBs is highly important. Recent research has focused extensively on alloy-based anodes for ASSBs, owing to their advantages of no dendrite formation and high-energy density. This study provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements and challenges associated with alloy-based anodes for ASSBs.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2024

In advancing Li-ion battery (LIB) technology, the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is critical for enhancing battery longevity and performance. Formed during the charging process, the SEI layer is essential for controlling ion transport and maintaining electrode stability. This research provides a detailed analysis of how vinylene carbonate (VC) influences SEI layer formation. The integration of VC into the electrolyte markedly improved SEI properties. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed a connection between electrolyte decomposition and battery degradation, linked to the EMC esterification and dicarboxylate formation processes. VC facilitated the formation of a more uniform and chemically stable SEI layer enriched with poly(VC), thereby enhancing mechanical resilience and electrochemical stability. These findings deepen our understanding of the role of electrolyte additives in SEI formation, offering a promising strategy to improve the efficiency and lifespan of LIBs.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.57-70
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• 2024

Nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) are increasingly prominent in the energy storage system due to their high energy density and cost-effectiveness. However, they face significant challenges, such as rapid capacity fading and structural instability during high-voltage operation cycles. Addressing these issues, numerous researchers have studied the enhancement of electrochemical performance through the coating of NCM cathode materials with substances like metal oxides, lithium composites, and polymers. Coating these cathode materials serves several critical functions: it acts as a protection barrier against electrolyte decomposition, mitigates the dissolution of transition metals, enhances the structural integrity of the electrode, and can even improve the ionic conductivity of the cathode. Ultimately, these improvements lead to better cycle stability, increased efficiency, and enhanced overall battery life, which are crucial for the advancement of NCM-based lithium-ion batteries in high-demand applications. So, this paper will review various cathode coating materials and examine the roles each plays in improving battery performance.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2024

There have been continuous requirements for developing more reliable energy storage systems that could address unsolved problems in conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and thus be a proper option for large-scale applications like energy storage system (ESS). As a promising solution, aqueous metal-ion batteries (AMIBs) where water is used as a primary electrolyte solvent, have been emerging owing to excellent safety, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly feature. Particularly, AMIBs adopting mutivalence metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺) as mobile charge carriers has been paid much attention because of their abundance on globe and high volumetric capacity. In this research trend review, one of the most popular AMIBs, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), will be discussed. Since it is well-known that ZIBs suffer from various (electro) chemical/physical side reactions, we introduce the challenges and recent advances in the study of ZIBs mainly focusing on widening the electrochemical window of aqueous electrolytes as well as improving electrochemical properties of cathode, and anode materials.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.55-60
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• 2018

The demand for LIBs with higher energy densities has increased continuously because the emergence of wider and more challenging applications including HEV and EV has became imperative. However, in the case of anode material, graphite is insufficient to meet this need. To meet such demand, several type of negative electrode materials like silicon, tin, SiO, and transition metal oxide have been investigated for the advanced lithium secondary batteries. Recently, lithium vanadium oxide, which has a layered structure, is assumed as one of the promising anode material as alternative of graphite. This material shows a high volumetric capacity, which is 1.5 times higher than that of graphite. However, relative low electrical conductivity and particle fracture, which results in the electrolyte decomposition and loss of electric contact between electrode, induce rapid capacity decay. In this report, we investigated the effect of electrolyte additive on the electrochemical characteristics of lithium vanadium oxide.