• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-18
• /
• 2014

Li-air cell is an exotic type of energy storage and conversion device considered to be half battery and half fuel cell. Its successful commercialization highly depends on the timely development of key components. Among these key components, the catalyst (i.e., the core portion of the air electrode) is of critical importance and of the upmost priority. Indeed, it is expected that these catalysts will have a direct and dramatic impact on the Li-air cell's performance by reducing overpotentials, as well as by enhancing the overall capacity and cycle life of Li-air cells. Unfortunately, the technological advancement related to catalysts is sluggish at present. Based on the insights gained from this review, this sluggishness is due to challenges in both the commercialization of the catalyst, and the fundamental studies pertaining to its development. Challenges in the commercialization of the catalyst can be summarized as 1) the identification of superior materials for Li-air cell catalysts, 2) the development of fundamental, material-based assessments for potential catalyst materials, 3) the achievement of a reduction in both cost and time concerning the design of the Li-air cell catalysts. As for the challenges concerning the fundamental studies of Li-air cell catalysts, they are 1) the development of experimental techniques for determining both the nano and micro structure of catalysts, 2) the attainment of both repeatable and verifiable experimental characteristics of catalyst degradation, 3) the development of the predictive capability pertaining to the performance of the catalyst using fundamental material properties. Therefore, under the current circumstances, it is going to be an extremely daunting task to develop appropriate catalysts for the commercialization of Li-air batteries; at least within the foreseeable future. Regardless, nano materials are expected to play a crucial role in this field.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.220-228
• /
• 2018

This study introduced a carbon-free electrode for $Li-O_2$ cells with the aim of suppressing the side reactions activated by carbon material. Micro-particles of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), a conducting polymer, were used as the base material for the air electrode of $Li-O_2$cells. The PEDOT micro-particles were treated with $H_2SO_4$ to improve their electronic conductivity, and LiBr and CsBr were used as the redox mediators to facilitate the dissociation of there action products in the electrode and reduce the over-potential of the $Li-O_2$ cells. The capacity of the electrode employing PEDOT micro-particles was significantly enhanced via $H_2SO_4$ treatment, which is attributed to the increased electronic conductivity. The considerable capacity enhancement and relatively low over-potential of the electrode employing $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles indicate that the treated PEDOT micro-particles can act as reaction sites and provide storage space for the reaction products. The cyclic performance of the electrode employing $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles was superior to that of a carbon electrode. The results of the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis showed that the accumulation of residual reaction products during cycling was significantly reduced by introducing the carbon-free electrode based on $H_2SO_4$-treated PEDOT micro-particles, compared with that of the carbon electrode. The cycle life was improved owing to the effect of the redox mediators. The refore, the use of the carbon -free electrode combined with redox mediators could realize excellent cyclic performance and low over-potential simultaneously.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.5 no.6
• /
• pp.364-369
• /
• 1995

Effect of two-phase culture on Mentha piperita cell growth and essential oil formation was investigated using shake flask and air-lift bioreactors. LiChroprep RP-B(RP-B) addition did not impair M. piperita cell growth, but resulted in stimulated formation of essential oils and increased ratios of extracellular oil to intracellular oil formation. However, the combined use of RP-B and chitosan elicitor was not synergistic. Volumetric productivity of essential oils in RP-B treated culture using cell-recycled air-lift bioreactor was $6.9\;\mu\textrm{g}/l{\cdot}day$ which was substantially higher than that obtainable from the control. Our results demonstrate the potential of a second phase to enhance overall productivity for M. piperita cell culture.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.316-322
• /
• 2001

Cathode materials $LiMn_{2-y}$$M_{y}$ $O_4$(M=Zn and Mg) were obtained by reacting the mixture of LiOH.$H_2O$, Mn $O_2$ and MgO ar ZnO at 80$0^{\circ}C$ for 36h in an air atmosphere. These materials showed an extended cycle life in lithium-anode cells working at room temperatue in a 3.0 to 4.3V potential window. Among these materials, LiM $n_{1.9}$M $g_{0.1}$ $O_4$ showed the best cycle performance in terms of the capacity and cycle life. The discharge capacities of the cathode for the Li/LiM $n_{1.9}$ $M_{0.1}$ $O_4$ cell at the 1st cycle and at the 70th cycle were about 120 and 105mAh/g, respectively. This cell capacity is retained by 88% after 70th cycle. In cyclic voltammetry measurement, all cells revealed tow oxidation peaks and reduction peaks. However, Li/$LiMn_{2-y}$$M_{y}$ $O_4$ cell substituted with Zn and Mg showed new reaction peak during reduction reaction.eaction.ion.ion.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.508-516
• /
• 1999

Polycrystalline powder of LixNi0.85Co0.15O2 was synthesized by pyrolyzing a powder precursor obtained by the PVA-precursor method. Coin cells of lithium-ion rechargeable battery were assembled, whose the cathodes were fabricated from the crystalline powders of LixNi0.85Co0.15O2 synthesized by the method. The effect of synthetic variation on the property of the cell was tested by carrying out 100 consecutive cycles of charge-dis-charge on the cells. The property of the cell was largely influenced by the pyrolysis conditions applied for the synthesis of the LixNi0.85Co0.15O2. Depending on whether the pyrolysis was carried out in standing air or in the flow of dry air, the discharge capacity and cycle-reversibility of the cell varied in large extent. When the powder precursor was pyrolyzed in standing air, a minor phase of lithium carbonate was remained in the LixNi0.85Co0.15O2. The carbon containing powder precursor had to be pyrolyzed in the flow of dry air to eliminate the minor phase. In the flow of dry air, the lithium carbonate in the precursor was eliminated over 500-700。C without any prominent heat event. By controlling the flow of air over the precursor during its pyrolysis, particle size could also be altered. The effect of flowing dry air, during first step pyrolysis or during second step heat treatment, on the property of the cell was discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 1996.11a
• /
• pp.378-381
• /
• 1996

This study is to research Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$ cathode for lithium chargeable battery. We investigated morphology and cell resistance, capacity and Ah efficiency of Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$/Li cells using Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$ prepared under air and $O_2$ flow. The (003)I/(104)I intensity ratio was 1.4. The cell resistance was increased with increasing Li in Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$. The discharge capacity based on Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$of 1st and 15th cycles was 135㎃h/g and 108㎃h/g, respectively. The Li$_{x}$Ni$_{2-x}$O$_2$ prepared with hexan under $O_2$ flow had a good properties. properties. properties.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
• /
• v.45 no.12
• /
• pp.760-765
• /
• 2008

In this study, the effects of small amounts (${\leq}3\;mol%$) of Li doping on the sintering characteristics and electrochemical performance of $(ZrO_2)_{0.89}(ScO_{1.5})_{0.1}(CeO_2)_{0.01}$ (ScSZ) were investigated. By adding 3 mol% lithium, the densification temperature of ScSZ was reduced from the conventional temperature of $1400^{\circ}C$ to $1200^{\circ}C$. It was found that Li doping also led to changes in the Zr:Sc ratio at the grain boundaries. Correspondingly, the dispersion of lithium zirconia at the grain boundaries accelerated the growth of ScSZ grains and increased the grain boundary resistance at temperatures below $450^{\circ}C$. At elevated temperatures of $450{\sim}750^{\circ}C$, the electrical conductivity of the ScSZ after doping remained almost unchanged under air and reducing atmospheres. These results suggest that the addition of lithium is promising for use in low temperature co-firing of ScSZ-based components for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2012.08a
• /
• pp.413-413
• /
• 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS) Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising material for the photovoltaic device due to its various outstanding properties such as tunable band-gap, solution processability, and infrared absorption. More importantly, PbS CQDs have large exciton Bohr radius of 20 nm due to the uniquely large dielectric constants that result in the strong quantum confinement. To exploit desirable properties in photovoltaic device, it is essential to fabricate a device exhibiting stable performance. Unfortunately, the performance of PbS NQDs based Schottky solar cell is considerably degraded according to the exposure in the air. The air-exposed degradation originates on the oxidation of interface between PbS NQDS layer and metal electrode. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance the stability of Schottky junction device by inserting a passivation layer. We investigate the effect of insertion of passivation layer on the performance of Schottky junction solar cells using PbS NQDs with band-gap of 1.3 eV. Schottky solar cell is the simple photovoltaic device with junction between semiconducting layer and metal electrode which a significant built-in-potential is established due to the workfunction difference between two materials. Although the device without passivation layer significantly degraded in several hours, considerable enhancement of stability can be obtained by inserting the very thin LiF layer (<1 nm) as a passivation layer. In this study, LiF layer is inserted between PbS NQDs layer and metal as an interface passivation layer. From the results, we can conclude that employment of very thin LiF layer is effective to enhance the stability of Schottky junction solar cells. We believe that this passivation layer is applicable not only to the PbS NQDs based solar cell, but also the various NQDs materials in order to enhance the stability of the device.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2001

Crystallized $LiMn_{2-y}Mg_{y}O_4$ powder was prepared by calcing the mixture of LiOH.$H_2O$, $MnO_2$ and MgO at $800^{\circ}C$ for 36h in an air atmosphere. The structure of $LiMn_{2-y}Mg_{y}O_4$ crystallites was analyzed from powder X-ray diffraction data as a cubic spinel, space group Fd3m. Though all cathode material showed spinel phase based on cubic phase in X-ray diffraction, other peaks gradually exhibited and became intense with increasing y value in $LiMn_{2-y}Mg_{y}O_4$. However, ununiform which calculated by (111) face and (222) face was constant in spite of the increase of y value, except pure $LiMn_2O_4$. AC impedance of Li/$LiMn_{2-y}Mg_{y}O_4$ cells revealed the similar resistance of about $70\Omega$ before cycling. In addition, The impedance of Li/$LiMn_{1.9}Mg_{0.1}O_4$ cell changed during charge and discharge or after cycling.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.383-390
• /
• 2001

We have investigated the L $i_{1+x}$M $n_2$ $O_4$system as a cathode material for lithium rechargeable batteries. To improve the cycle performance of spinel LiM $n_2$ $O_4$ as the cathode of 4V class lithium secondary batteries, spinel phase L $i_{1+x}$M $n_2$ $O_4$(x=0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075) was prepared at 75$0^{\circ}C$ for 48h. The preparation of L $i_{1+x}$M $n_2$ $O_4$ from L $i_2$ $O_3$ and Mn $O_2$ under air is studied. The compounds were synthesized by using solid-state reaction. Structural refinements were carried out with a Rietveld-refinement program. Electrochemical properties were examined using the Li/L $i_{1+x}$M $n_2$ $O_4$ cells. The capacity of L $i_{1+x}$M $n_2$ $O_4$ decreases with increases lithium content, while the cycle life improves. The initial discharge capacity are 118mAh/g and 116mAh/g for LiM $n_2$ $O_4$ decreases with increases lithium content, while the cycle life improves. The initial discharge capacity are 118mAh/g and 116mAh/g for LiM $n_2$ $O_4$ and L $i_{1.025}$M $n_2$ $O_4$, respectively.pectively.