• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2019

In order to recover the cerium contained in the spent nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH battery), the recovered rare earth complex precipitates from NIMH were converted into rare earth hydroxides through ion exchange reaction to react with NaOH aqueous solution at a reaction temperature of 70 ℃, for 4 hours. Rare earth hydroxides were oxidized by injecting air at 80 ℃ for 4 hours to oxidize Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺. The oxidation rate of cerium was confirmed to be about 25 % through XPS, and the oxidized powder was separated from the rest of the rare earth using the difference in solubility in dilute sulfuric acid. The finally recovered powder has a crystal phase of cerium hydroxide (Ce(OH)₄). The cerium purity of the final product was about 94.6 %, and the recovery rate was 97.3 %.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.587-591
• /
• 2011

The effect of the precipitator (NaOH, $NH_4OH$) and the amount of the precipitator (150, 200, 250, 300 ml) on the formation of $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$, which is the precursor used for cathode material $LiFePO_4$ in Li-ion rechargeable batteries was investigated by the co-precipitation method. A pure precursor of olivine $LiFePO_4$ was successfully prepared with coprecipitation from an aqueous solution containing trivalent iron ions. The acid solution was prepared by mixing 150 ml $FeSO_4$(1M) and 100 ml $H_3PO_4$(1M). The concentration of the NaOH and $NH_4OH$ solution was 1 M. The reaction temperature (25$^{\circ}C$) and reaction time (30 min) were fixed. Nitrogen gas (500 ml/min) was flowed during the reaction to prevent oxidation of $Fe^{2+}$. Single phase $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ was formed when 150, 200, 250 and 300 ml NaOH solutions were added and 150, 200 ml $NH_4OH$ solutions were added. However, $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ and $NH_4FePO_4$ were formed when 250 and 300 ml $NH_4OH$ was added. The morphology of the $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ changed according to the pH. Plate-like lenticular shaped $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ formed in the acidic solution below pH 5 and plate-like rhombus shaped $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ formed around pH 9. For the $NH_4OH$, the pH value after 30 min reaction was higher with the same amount of additions of NaOH and $NH_4OH$. It is believed that the formation mechanism of $Fe_3(PO_4)_2$ is quite different between NaOH and $NH_4OH$. Further investigation on this mechanism is needed. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the pH value was measured by pH-Meter.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.446-451
• /
• 2022

In this study, to improve capacity and cycle stability, the pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT composites were prepared through electrostatic bonding of nano silicon sheets and CNT. Silica sheets were synthesized by hydrolyzing TEOS on the crystal planes of NaCl, and then nano silicon sheets were prepared by using magnesiothermic reduction method. To fabricate the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites, the negatively charged CNT after the acid treatment was used to assemble the positively charged nano silicon sheets modified with APTES. THF as a solvent was used in the coating process of PFO pitch. The physical properties of the prepared anode composites were analysed by FE-SEM, XRD and EDS. The electrochemical performances of the synthesized anode composites were performed by current charge/discharge, rate performances, differential capacity and EIS tests in the electrolyte LiPF₆ dissolve solvent (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%). It was found that the anode material with high capacity and stability could be synthesized when high composition of silicon and conductivity of CNT were used. The pitch coated nano silicon sheets/CNT anode composites showed initial discharge capacity of 2344.9 mAh/g and the capacity retention ratio of 81% after 50 cycles. The electrochemical property of pitch coated anode material was more improved than that of the nano silicon sheets/CNT composites.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.11
• /
• pp.3109-3114
• /
• 2010

Flexible composite films of $V_2O_5$ and conductive polypyrrole ($V_2O_5$/PPy) were grown by facile electrochemical polymerization, wherein an anodization potential was applied to the substrate electrode in an electrolyte solution containing pyrrole monomer and dispersed $V_2O_5$ particles. The coating of polypyrrole (PPy) on the surface of $V_2O_5$ particles was induced by the oxidative catalytic action of $V_2O_5$ during the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole. PPy in the composite film connects the isolated $V_2O_5$ particles. This results in the formation of conductive networks in the composite film cathode, thereby enhancing the Li+ ion diffusion to the surface of the isolated $V_2O_5$ particles and thus increasing the accessibility of the $Li^+$ ions. The specific capacity tests of the Li rechargeable batteries revealed that the discharge capacity of this composite film cathode was higher, i.e., $497\;mAhg^{-1}$, than that of $V_2O_5$/PPy powder or pristine $V_2O_5$.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.326-332
• /
• 2021

In this study, a spherical carbon composite material containing nano-silicon was synthesized using hydrothermal synthesis, and coated with petroleum pitch to prepare an anode material to investigate the electrochemical characteristics. Hydrothermal synthesis was performed by varying molar concentration, and the pitch was coated using THF as an organic solvent to prepare a composite material. The physical properties of anode materials were analyzed using SEM, EDS, XRD and TGA, and the electrochemical performances were investigated by cycle, C-rate, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance tests in 1.0 M LiPF₆ electrolyte (EC : DMC : EMC = 1 : 1 : 1 vol%). The pitch-coated silicon/carbon composite (Pitch@Si/C-1.5) with sucrose of 1.5 M showed a spherical shape. In addition, a high initial capacity of 1756 mAh/g, a capacity retention ratio of 82% after 50 cycles, and an excellent rate characteristic of 81% at 2 C/0.1 C were confirmed.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.60 no.3
• /
• pp.327-333
• /
• 2022

In this study, silicon/carbon nanotube/carbon (Si/CNT/C) composites for anode were prepared to improve the volume expansion of silicon used as a high-capacity anode material. Si/CNT were prepared by electrostatic attraction of the positively charged Si and negatively charged CNT and then hydrothermal synthesis was performed to obtain the spherical Si/CNT/C composites. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) were used as binders for electrode preparation, and coin cell was assembled using 1.0 M LiPF₆ (EC:DMC:EMC = 1:1:1 vol%) electrolyte and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive. The physical properties of Si/CNT/C anode materials were analyzed using SEM, EDS, XRD and TGA, and the electrochemical performances of lithium-ion batteries were investigated by charge-discharge cycle, rate performance, dQ/dV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests. Also, it was confirmed that both capacity and rate performance were significantly improved using the PAA/SBR binder and 10 wt% FEC-added electrolyte. It is found that Si/CNT/C have the reversible capacity of 914 mAh/g, the capacity retention ratio of 83% during 50 cycles and the rate performance of 70% in 2 C/0.1 C.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2024

In this study, the electrochemical properties of SiOx@C composite materials were prepared to alleviate volume expansion and cycle stability of silicon and to increase the capacity of anode material for LIBs. SiO₂ particles of 100, 200, and 500 nm were synthesized by the Stӧber method, and reduced to SiOx (0≤x≤2) through the magnesiothermic reduction method. Then, SiOx@C anode materials were synthesized by carbonization of PVC on SiOx. The physical properties of prepared SiOx and SiOx@C anode materials were analyzed by XRD, SEM, TGA, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and BET. The electrochemical properties were investigated by cycling performance, rate performance, CV and EIS test. As a result, the SiOx@C-7030 manufactured by coating carbon at SiOx : C = 70 : 30 on a 100 nm SiOx with the smallest particle size showed the best electrochemical properties with a discharge capacity of 1055 mAh/g and a capacity retention rate of 81.9% at 100 cycles. It was confirmed that cycle stability was impoved by reducing particle size and carbon coating.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.861-867
• /
• 2019

$Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ is a promising next-generation anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to excellent cycle life, low irreversible capacity, and little volume expansion during charge-discharge process. However, it has poor charge capacity at high current density due to its low electrical conductivity. To improve this weakness, porous $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ was synthesized by sol-gel method with P123 as chelating agent. The physical characteristics of as-prepared sample was investigated by XRD, SEM, and BET analysis, and electrochemical properties were characterized by cycle performance test, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ synthesized by 0.01mol ratio of P123/Ti showed most unified particle size, high specific surface area, and relatively high porosity. EIS analysis showed that depressed semicircle size was remarkably reduced, which suggested resistance value in electrode was decreased. Capacity in rate performance showed 178 mAh/g at 0.2C, 170 mAh/g at 0.5C, 110 mA/h at 5C, and 90 mAh/g at 10C. Capacity retention also showed 99% after rate performance.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.42-48
• /
• 2021

Zn and Al added LiNi0.85Co0.15O2 cathode materials were synthesized to improve electrochemical properties and thermal stability using a solid-state route. Crystal structure, particle size and surface shape of the synthesized cathode materials was measured using XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). CV (cyclic voltammetry), first charge-discharge profiles, rate capability, and cycle life were measured using battery cycler (Maccor, series 4000). Strong binding energy of Al-O bond enhanced structure stability of cathode material. Electrochemical properties were improved by preventing cation mixing between Li+ and Ni2+. Large ion radius of Zn+ increased lattice parameter of NC cathode material, which meant unit-cell volume was expanded. NCZA25 showed 80% of capacity retention at 0.5 C-rate during 100 cycles, which was 12% higher than that of NC cathode. The discharge capacity of NCZA25 showed 104 mAh/g at 5 C-rate. NCZA25 achieved 36 mAh/g more capacity than that of NC cathod. NCZA25 cathode material showed excellent rate capability and cycling performance.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.77-84
• /
• 2018

In this study, $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ anode materials for lithium ion battery were synthesized by dry ball-mill method. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a carbon source was added to improve electrochemical properties. When the PVC was added after $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ formation, the spinel structure was well synthesized and it was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments. When the carbon material was added before the synthesis and the heat treatment was performed, it was confirmed that a material having a different crystal structure was synthesized even when a small amount of carbon material was added. In the case of $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ without the carbon material, the electrical conductivity value was about $10{\mu}S\;m^{-1}$, which was very small and similar to that of the nonconductor. As the carbon was added, the electrical conductivity was greatly improved and increased up to 10,000 times. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis showed that the size of semicircle corresponding to the resistance decreased with the carbon addition. This indicates that the resistance inside the electrode is reduced. According to the Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis, the potential difference between the oxidation peak and the reduction peak was reduced with carbon addition. This means that the rate of lithium ion insertion and deinsertion was increased. $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ with 9.5 wt% PVC added sample showed the best properties in rate capabilities of $180mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 0.2 C-rate, $165mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 0.5 C-rate, and $95.8mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ at 5 C-rate.