• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.237-245
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• 2021

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) enhances the stability of cathode materials via surface modification. Previous studies have demonstrated that an Ni-rich cathode, such as LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂, is a promising candidate owing to its high capacity, but is limited by poor cycle stability. In this study, to enhance the stability of the Ni-rich cathode, synthesized LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ was coated with Al₂O₃ using ALD. Thus, the surface-modified cathode exhibited enhanced stability by protecting the interface from Ni-O formation during the cycling process. The coated LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ exhibited a capacity of 176 mAh g^-1 at 1 C and retained up to 72% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles within a range of 2.8-4.3 V (vs Li/Li⁺. In contrast, pristine LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ presented only 58% of capacity retention after 100 cycles with an initial capacity of 173 mAh g^-1. Improved cyclability may be a result of the ALD coating, which physically protects the electrode by modifying the interface, and prevents degradation by resisting side reactions that result in capacity decay. The electrochemical impedance spectra and structural and morphological analysis performed using electron microscopy and X-ray techniques establish the surface enhancement resulting from the aforementioned strategy.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2022

The capacity of high nickel Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_1-x-y)O₂ (NCM, x ≥ 0.8) cathodes is known to rapidly decline, a serious problem that needs to be solved in a timely manner. It was reported that cathode materials with the {010} plane exposed toward the outside, i.e., a radial structure, can provide facile Li⁺ diffusion paths and stress buffer during repeated cycles. In addition, cathodes with a core-shell composition gradient are of great interest. For example, a stable surface structure can be achieved using relatively low nickel content on the surface. In this study, precursors of the high-nickel NCM were synthesized by coprecipitation in ambient atmosphere. Then, a transition metal solution for coprecipitation was replaced with a low nickel content and the coprecipitation reaction proceeded for the desired time. The electrochemical analysis of the core-shell cathode showed a capacity retention of 94 % after 100 cycles, compared to the initial discharge capacity of 184.74 mA h/g. The rate capability test also confirmed that the core-shell cathode had enhanced kinetics during charging and discharging at 1 A/g.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.66-72
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• 2022

The circularity and particle size distribution of products obtained from dry classification after circularity tests using a high-intensity mixer were investigated to evaluate the use of domestic graphite concentrate as a lithium-ion battery material. At a rotor speed of 3,000 rpm, the particle size and circularity of the concentrated sample and product were unchanged. The circularity increased and particle size decreased when the rotor speeds were increased to 6,000 rpm, 10,000 rpm, and 12,000 rpm and the operating time was increased. For instance, the circularity increased from 0.870 to 0.936 when the rotor speed was increased from 3,000 rpm to 12,000 rpm for an operating time of 10 min. After the circularity test, dry classification was performed, wherein the circularity of the coarse particles was found to have increased to 0.947. Round particles were observed in the SEM images, indicating that high circularity was successfully achieved.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2023

In this study, the particle size of Si polycrystals was controlled through wet-sedimentation method, and changes in the capacity and cyclic characteristics of the Si anode material according to the particle size were observed. After wet-sedimentation of Si particles pulverized by a vibration mill, the non-uniform particle distribution of Si was uniformly controlled. The d₅₀ of a sample in which Si was sedimented for 24 hours decreased to 0.50 ㎛. As a result of the electrochemical characteristic analysis, the Rct value representing the resistance in the electrode was significantly reduced due to the decrease in particle size. The unclassified Si sample exhibited a discharge capacity of 2,869 mAh/g in the first cycle, and decreased to 85.7 mAh/g after 100 cycles. The sample in which Si was classified for 24 hours showed a capacity of 3,394 mAh/g initially, and maintained a capacity of 1,726 mAh/g after 100 cycles. As the size of the Si particles decreased, the discharge capacity increased and the cycle life was also increased.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.530-536
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• 2023

The theoretical capacity of silicon-based anode materials is more than 10 times higher than the capacity of graphite, so silicon can be used as an alternative to graphite anode materials. However, silicon has a much higher contraction and expansion rate due to lithiation of the anode material during the charge and discharge processes, compared to graphite anode materials, resulting in the pulverization of silicon particles during repeated charge and discharge. To compensate for the above issues, there is a growing interest in SiO_x materials with a silica or carbon coating to minimize the expansion of the silicon. In this study, spherical silica (SiO₂) was synthesized using TEOS as a starting material for the fabrication of such SiO_x through heating in a reduction atmosphere. SiO_x powder was produced by adding PVA as a carbon source and inducing the reduction of silica by the carbothermal reduction method. The ratio of TEOS to distilled water, the stirring time, and the amount of PVA added were adjusted to induce size and morphology, resulting in uniform nanosized spherical silica particles. For the reduction of the spherical monodisperse silica particles, a nitrogen gas atmosphere mixed with 5 % hydrogen was applied, and oxygen atoms in the silica were selectively removed by the carbothermal reduction method. The produced SiO_x powder was characterized by FE-SEM to examine the morphology and size changes of the particles, and XPS and FT-IR were used to examine the x value (O/Si ratio) of the synthesized SiO_x.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.12-28
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• 2024

Explosion involving rapid energy diffusion are causing enormous human and economic damage. Due to the advancement of the industry, various and widespread explosion accidents are occurring worldwise, and to prevent such explosion accidents, accurate cause analysis should be the basis. Research analysis related to worldwise explosion accidents was carried out in a limited range for some accidents. By conducting bibliometric analysis of keywords on all the papers published in international journals, this study attempted to derive the overall research trend by period and the latest fields in which future researchers may be interested. As a result of the study of keywords, the number of papers was generally small and the number of overall key words was small from 2005 to 2014, but numerical simulation and artificial intelligence have been used for the analysis of explosion accident cases since 2015, and various studies such as lithium-ion battery and mixed gas, which are the latest research fields, are currently being actively conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2024

Lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are widely used in various sectors, such as transportation (e.g., electric vehicles (EV)) and energy (e.g., energy storage facilities) due to their high energy density, broad operating temperature (-20 ℃ ~ 60 ℃), and high capacities. LIBs are powerful but fragile on external factors, including pressure, physical damage, overheating, and overcharging, that cause thermal runaway causing fires and explosions. During a LIB fire, a large amount of oxygen is generated from the decomposition of ionogenic materials. A water fire extinguisher that helps with cooling and suffocating must be essentially required at the same time. In fact, however, it is difficult to suppress LIB fires in the case of EVs because a LIB is installed with a battery pack housing that interrupts direct extinguishing by water. Thus, this study aims to investigate effective fire extinguishing measurements for LIB fires by using an EV. Relevant documents, including research articles and reports, were reviewed to identify effective ways of LIBs fire extinguishing. A real-scale fire experiment generating thermal runaway was carried out to figure out the combustion characteristics of EVs. This study revealed that the most effective fire extinguishing measurements for LIB fires are applying fire blankets and water tanks. However, there is still a lack of adequate regulation and guidelines for LIB fire extinguishment. Taking this into account, developing functional fire extinguishment measurements and available regulatory instruments is an urgent issue to secure the safety of firefighters and citizens.

• Nanomaterials
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1158-1168
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• 2022

Commercial lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes are still a safety hazard due to their poor chemical stability and other severe problems, such as electrolyte leakage and low thermal stability. To mitigate these critical issues, solid electrolytes are introduced. However, solid electrolytes have low ionic conductivity and inferior power density. This study reports the optimization of the synthesis of sodium superionic conductor-type Li_1.5Al_0.3Si_0.2Ti_1.7P_2.8O₁₂ (LASTP) solid electrolyte. The as-prepared powder was calcined at 650 ℃, 700 ℃, 750 ℃, and 800 ℃ to optimize the synthesis conditions and yield high-quality LASTP powders. Later, LASTP was sintered at 950 ℃, 1000 ℃, 1050 ℃, and 1100 ℃ to study the dependence of the relative density and ionic conductivity on the sintering temperature. Morphological changes were analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and structural changes were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Further, the ionic conductivity was measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Sintering at 1050 ℃ resulted in a high relative density and the highest ionic conductivity (9.455 × 10^-4 S cm^-1). These findings corroborate with the activation energies that are calculated using the Arrhenius plot. Therefore, the as-synthesized superionic LASTP solid electrolytes can be used to design high-performance and safe all-solid-state batteries.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.222-228
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• 2014

Ni-rich system $Li[Ni_{1-x-y}Co_xMn_y]O_2$ of lithium secondary battery cathode material keep a high discharge capacity. However, by the Ni content increases, there is a problem that the electrochemical properties and stability of the structure are reduced. In order to solve these problems, research for positive ion doping is performed. The one of the cathode material, barium-doped $Li[Ni_{0.6-x}Ba_xCo_{0.1}Mn_{0.3}]O_2$ (x=0.01), was synthesized by the precursor, $Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.3}(OH)_2$, from the co-precipitation method. The barium doped materials have studied the structural and electrochemical properties. The analysis of structural properties, results of X-ray diffraction analysis, and those results confirmed the change of the lattice from the binding energy in the structure by barium doping. Increased stability of the layered structure was observed by $I_{(006)}+I_{(102)}/I_{(101)}$(R-factor) ratio decrease. we expected that the electrochemical characteristics are improved. 23 mAh/g discharge capacity of barium-doped $Li[Ni_{0.6-x}Ba_xCo_{0.1}Mn_{0.3}]O_2$ (x=0.01) electrode is higher than discharge capacity of $Li[Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.3}]O_2$ due to decrease overvoltage. And, through the structural stability was confirmed that improved the cycle characteristics. We caused a reduction in charge transfer resistance between the electrolyte and the electrode was confirmed that the C-rate characteristics are improved.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.4205-4209
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• 2011

The $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ silicate was prepared by blending of $Li_2MnSiO_4$ and $Li_2FeSiO_4$ precursors with same molar ratio. The one of the silicates of $Li_2FeSiO_4$ is known as high capacitive up to ~330 mAh/g due to 2 mole electron exchange, and the other of $Li_2FeSiO_4$ has identical structure with $Li_2MnSiO_4$ and shows stable cycle with less capacity of ~170 mAh/g. The major drawback of silicate family is low electronic conductivity (3 orders of magnitude lower than $LiFePO_4$). To overcome this disadvantage, carbon composite of the silicate compound was prepared by sucrose mixing with silicate precursors and heat-treated in reducing atmosphere. The crystal structure and physical morphology of $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$/C nanocomposite has a maximum discharge capacity of 200 mAh/g, and 63% of its discharge capacity is retained after the tenth cycles. We have realized that more than 1 mole of electrons are exchanged in $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$. We have observed that $Li_2Mn_{0.5}Fe_{0.5}SiO_4$ is unstable structure upon first delithiation with structural collapse. High temperature cell performance result shows high capacity of discharge capacity (244 mAh/g) but it had poor capacity retention (50%) due to the accelerated structural degradation and related reaction.