• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.223-232
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• 2003

The co-precipitation method is applied to synthesize the cathode material Li[L $i_{x}$M $n_{1-x-y}$C $r_{y}$ ] $O_2$ for lithium rechargeable batteries at $650^{\circ}C$ (CR650) and 8$50^{\circ}C$ (CR850), respectively. Rietveld indices indicate that $R_{wp}$ with respect to $R_{exp}$ ( $R_{wp}$/ $R_{exp}$) are 9.2%/10.1% for CR650 and 15.9%/9.76% for CR850, respectively. $R_{B}$ and S (GofF) shows 10.9%, 8.54% and 1.9, 1.6, respectively. Rietveld structure refinement reveals that layer structure of LiMn $O_2$ (R3m) coexists with lower symmetry of Li[L $i_{1}$3/M $n_{2}$3/] $O_2$ (C2/c) due to superlattice ordering of Li and Mn in metal-transition containing layers. Unit-cell parameters are calculated as a=2.8520(2)$\AA$, c=14.248(2)$\AA$, V=100.40(l)$\AA^3$ for CR650, and a=2.8504(1)$\AA$, c=14.2371(7)$\AA$, V=100.179(8)$\AA^3$ for CR850. Final chemistry is obtained as Li[L $i_{0.35}$M $n_{0.56}$C $r_{0.09}$] $O_2$ (CR650) and Li[L $i_{0.27}$M $n_{0.61}$C $r_{0.13}$] $O_2$ (CR850), respectively.y...y..vely.y...y..

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.554-559
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• 2011

To improve the safety and electrode characteristics of lithium metal anode, physically coated electrodes on lithium metal surface by three kinds of carbon are prepared and their charge-discharge performances are investigated by adopting the C-Li electrodes as the anode of rechargeable lithium batteries. The lithium anode coated by the carbon powder with smaller particle size and higher surface area, which has higher packing density and lower surface roughness, shows better performance in charge-discharge characteristics. The carbon coating on lithium surface can be more effective in small-sized cells.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2016

As precursors of cathode materials for lithium ion batteries, $Ni_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}(OH)_2$ powders are prepared in a continuously stirred tank reactor via a co-precipitation reaction between aqueous metal sulfates and NaOH in the presence of $NH_4OH$ in air or nitrogen ambient. Calcination of the precursors with $Li_2CO_3$ for 8 h at $1,000^{\circ}C$ in air produces dense spherical cathode materials. The precursors and final powders are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, tap density measurement, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The precursor powders obtained in air or nitrogen ambient show XRD patterns identified as $Ni_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}(OH)_2$. Regardless of the atmosphere, the final powders exhibit the XRD patterns of $LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ (NCM). The precursor powders obtained in air have larger particle size and lower tap density than those obtained in nitrogen ambient. NCM powders show similar tendencies in terms of particle size and tap density. Electrochemical characterization is performed after fabricating a coin cell using NCM as the cathode and Li metal as the anode. The NCM powders from the precursors obtained in air and those from the precursors obtained in nitrogen have similar initial charge/discharge capacities and cycle life. In conclusion, the powders co-precipitated in air can be utilized as precursor materials, replacing those synthesized in the presence of nitrogen injection, which is the usual industrial practice.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2008

Titanium sheet metal substrates used in thin film batteries were wet etched and their surface area was increased in order to increase the discharge capacity and power density of the batteries. To obtain a homogeneous etching pattern, we used a conventional photolithographic process. Homogeneous hemisphere-shaped wells with a diameter of approximately $40\;{\mu}m$ were formed on the surface of the Ti substrate using a photo-etching process with a $20\;{\mu}m{\times}20\;{\mu}m$ square patterned photo mask. All-solid-state thin film cells composed of a Li/Lithium phosphorous oxynitride (Lipon)/$LiCoO_2$ system were fabricated onto the wet etched substrate using a physical vapor deposition method and their performances were compared with those of the cells on a bare substrate. It was found that the discharge capacity of the cells fabricated on wet etched Ti substrate increased by ca. 25% compared to that of the cell fabricated on bare one. High discharge rate was also able to be obtained through the reduction in the internal resistance. However, the cells fabricated on the wet etched substrate exhibited a higher degradation rate with charge-discharge cycling due to the nonuniform step coverage of the thin films, while the cells on the bare substrate demonstrated a good cycling performance.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.198-206
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• 2024

Given the high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g^-1) and the inherent affordability and ubiquity of elemental sulfur, it stands out as a prominent cathode material for advanced lithium metal batteries. Traditionally, sulfur was sequestered within conductive porous carbons, rooted in the understanding that their inherent conductivity could offset sulfur's non-conductive nature. This study, however, pivots toward a transformative approach by utilizing diatom shell (DS, diatomite)-a naturally abundant and economically viable siliceous mineral-as a sulfur host. This approach enabled the development of a sulfurlayered diatomite/S composite (DS/S) for cathodic applications. Even in the face of the insulating nature of both diatomite and sulfur, the DS/S composite displayed vigorous participation in the electrochemical conversion process. Furthermore, this composite substantially curbed the loss of soluble polysulfides and minimized structural wear during cycling. As a testament to its efficacy, our Li-S battery, integrating this composite, exhibited an excellent cycling performance: a specific capacity of 732 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles and a robust 77% capacity retention. These findings challenge the erstwhile conviction of requiring a conductive host for sulfur. Owing to diatomite's hierarchical porous architecture, eco-friendliness, and accessibility, the DS/S electrode boasts optimal sulfur utilization, elevated specific capacity, enhanced rate capabilities at intensified C rates, and steadfast cycling stability that underscore its vast commercial promise.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2024

Globally, the demand for electric vehicles has surged due to greenhouse gas regulations related to climate change, leading to an increase in the production of used batteries as a consequence of the battery life issue. This study aims to selectively leach and recover valuable metal lithium from the cathode material of spent LFP (LiFePO₄) batteries among lithium-ion batteries. Generally, the use of inorganic acids results in the emission of toxic gases or the generation of large quantities of wastewater, causing environmental issues. To address this, research is being conducted to leach lithium using organic acids and other leaching agents. In this study, selective leaching was performed using the organic acid methane sulfonic acid (MSA, CH₃SO₃H). Experiments were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for selectively leaching lithium by varying the MSA concentration, pulp density, and hydrogen peroxide dosage. The results of this study showed that lithium was leached at approximately 100%, while iron and phosphorus components were leached at about 1%, verifying the leaching efficiency and the leaching rates of the main components under different variables.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Nickel, cobalt and manganese-based(NCM, $Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_z)O_2$) cathode active materials of spent lithium-ion batteries contained valuable metals such as cobalt(15 ~ 20%), nickel(25 ~ 30%), manganese(10 ~ 15%) and lithium(5 ~ 10%). It was investigated the eco-friendly leaching process for the recovery of valuable metal from spent lithium-ion battery NCM cathode active materials by DL-malic acid($C_4H_5O_6$) as an organic leachant in this research. The experiments were carried out to optimize the process parameters for the recovery of cobalt, nickel and lithium by varying the concentration of lixivant, reductant concentration, solid/liquid ratio and temperature. The leaching solution was analyzed using ICP-OES(Inductively Coupled Plasma Optic Emission Spectrometer). Cathode active materials of 5 wt. % were introduced into the leaching solution which was 2 M DL-malic acid in addition of 5 vol. % $H_2O_2$ at $80^{\circ}C$ and it resulted in the recovery of 99.10% cobalt, 99.80% nickel and 99.75% lithium in 120 min. $H_2O_2$ in DL-malic acid solution acts as an effective reducing agents, which enhance the leaching of metals.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.273-278
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• 2018

Lithium-ion batteries have been considered the most important devices to power mobile or small-sized devices due to their high energy density. $LixCoO_2$ has been studied as a cathode material for the Li-ion battery. However, the limitation of its capacity impedes the development of high capacity cathode materials with Ni, Mn, etc. in them. The substitution of Mn and Ni for Co leads to the formation of solid solution phase $LiNi_xMn_yCo_{1-x-y}O_2$ (NMC, both x and y < 1), which shows better battery performance than unsubstituted $LiCoO_2$. However, despite a high discharge capacity in the Ni-rich compound (Ni > 0.8 in the metal site), poor cycle retention capability still remains to be overcome. In this study, aiming to improve the stability of the physical and chemical bonding, we investigate the stabilization effect of Ca in the Ni-rich layered compound $Li(Ni_{0.83}Co_{0.12}Mn_{0.05})O_2$, and then Ca is added to the modified secondary particles to lower the degree of cationic mixing of the final particles. For the optimization of the final grains added with Ca, the Ca content (x = 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 at.%) versus Li is analyzed.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Transition metal oxide, which undergoes a conversion reaction in the negative electrode material for a lithium-ion batteries, has a high specific capacity, but still has several critical problems. In this study, manganese pyrophosphate (Mn₂P₂O₇), nickel pyrophosphate (Ni₂P₂O₇), and carbon composite materials with pyrophosphates as novel negative electrode materials instead of transition metal oxide, are synthesized through simple solid-state reaction. The initial reversible capacity of Mn₂P₂O₇ and Ni₂P₂O₇ are 333 and 340 mAh g^-1, and when the composite materials are composed with carbon, the reversible capacity increases to 433 and 387 mAh g^-1, respectively. The initial Coulombic efficiency is also improved by about 10%. The Mn₂P₂O₇ and carbon composite material has the highest initial capacity and efficiency, and has the best cycle performance. Mn₂P₂O₇ containing polyanion, has a lower specific capacity due to the large mass of polyanion compared to MnO (manganese oxide). However, since Mn₂P₂O₇ shows a voltage curve with a slope, the charging (lithiation) voltage increases from 0.51 to 0.57 V (vs. Li/Li⁺), and the discharge (delithiation) voltage decreases from 1.15 to 1.01 V (vs. Li/Li⁺). Therefore, the voltage efficiency of the cell is improved because the voltage difference between charging and discharging is greatly reduced from 0.64 to 0.44 V, and the operating voltage of the full cell increases because the negative electrode potential is lowered during the discharging process.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2012

Carbon-supported manganese oxide composite were fabricated as an air cathode material for Li-air batteries by hydrothermal method. The composite materials of carbon and manganese oxide were investigated by the implementation of X-ray diffraction, FE-SEM and BET surface area measurer. The manganese oxide synthesized at $170^{\circ}C$ for 12 h has a rod like shape morphology with 40-50 nm long in size. A Lithium-air battery with coin type, of which electrodes are composed of cathode composite materials synthesized $170^{\circ}C$-12 h and lithium metal anode, reveals its first discharge capacity of 3,852 mAh/g and four discharge-charge cycles.