• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.168-177
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• 2024

Ni-rich cathode is one of the promising candidates for high-energy lithium-ion battery applications. Due to its specific capacity, easy industrialization, and good circulation ability, Ni-rich cathode materials have been widely used for lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the limitation of the co-precipitation method, including sewage pollution, and the instability of the long production cycles, developing a new efficient and environmentally friendly synthetic approach is critical. In this study, the Ni_0.91Co_0.06Mn_0.03CO₃ precursor powder was successfully synthesized by an efficient spray-drying method using carbonate compounds as a raw material. This Ni_0.91Co_0.06Mn_0.03CO₃ precursor was calcined by mixing with LiOH·H₂O (5 wt% excess) at 480℃ for 5 hours and then sintered at two different temperatures (780℃/800℃) for 15 hours under an oxygen atmosphere to complete the cathode active material preparation, which is a key component of lithium-ion batteries. As a result, LiNi_0.91Co_0.06Mn_0.03O₂ cathode active material powders were obtained successfully via a simple sintering process on the Ni_0.91Co_0.06Mn_0.03CO₃ precursor powder. Furthermore, the obtained LiNi_0.91Co_0.06Mn_0.03O₂ cathode active material powders were characterized. Overall, the material sintered at 780℃ shows superior electrochemical performance by delivering a discharge capacity of 190.76 mAh/g at 1^st cycle (0.1 C) and excellent capacity retention of 66.80% even after 50 cycles.

• 전기화학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.172-176
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• 2019

The first commercialized cathode material, $LiCoO_2$, suffers from disadvantages such as high cost and toxicity and also possesses safety problems. The nickel-rich $LiNi_{0.9}Mn_{0.1}O_2$ cathode material, used as an alternative to $LiCoO_2$, has highly reversible capacity and high energy density. So, the nickel-rich $LiNi_{0.9}Mn_{0.1}O_2$ cathode material is widely used as an alternative to $LiCoO_2$ due to its highly reversible capacity and high energy density. However, $LiNi_{0.9}Mn_{0.1}O_2$ has several disadvantages as well, such as poor cycle performance and poor thermal instability. To address these problems, we synthesized a new material, $LiNi_{0.5}Mn_{0.5}O_2$, as a shell on the surface of a core to suppress the surface degradation. The new material showed high structural and thermal stabilities and could also maintain a high capacity. The capacity retention of the core-shell cathode (87.7%) was better than that of the core cathode (76.9%) after 50 cycles. Analysis using differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the heat generation in the core-shell cathode ($65.9Jg^{-1}$) was lower than that in the core cathode ($559.7Jg^{-1}$).

• Current Applied Physics
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• 제18권11호
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• pp.1345-1351
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• 2018

To allow stable cycling of layered nickel-rich cathode material at high voltage, silyl-functionalized dimethoxydimethylsilane is proposed as a multi-functional additive. In contrast to typical functional additive, dimethoxydimethylsilane does not make artificial cathode-electrolyte interfaces by electrochemical oxidation because it is quite stable under anodic polarization. We find that dimethoxydimethylsilane mainly focuses on scavenging nucleophilic fluoride species that can be produced by electrolyte decomposition during cycling, leading to improving interfacial stability of both nickel-rich cathode and graphite anode. As a result, the cell cycled with dimethoxydimethylsilane-controlled electrolyte exhibits 65.7% of retention after 100 cycle, which is identified by systematic spectroscopic analyses for the cycled cell.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.377-386
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• 2021

The Li-rich oxides are promising cathode materials due to their high energy density. However, characteristics such as low rate capability, unstable cyclic performance, and rapid capacity fading during cycling prevent their commercialization. These characteristics are mainly attributed to the phase instability of the host structure and undesirable side reactions at the cathode/electrolyte interface. To suppress the phase transition during cycling and interfacial side reactions with the reactive electrolyte, K (potassium) doping and Nb oxide coating were simultaneously introduced to a Li-rich oxide (Li_1.2Ni_0.13Co_0.13Mn_0.54O₂). The capacity and rate capability of the Li-rich oxide were significantly enhanced by K doping. Considering the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the interslab thickness of LiO₂ increased and cation mixing decreased due to K doping, which facilitated Li migration during cycling and resulted in enhanced capacity and rate capability. The K-doped Li-rich oxide also exhibited considerably improved cyclic performance, probably because the large K⁺ ions disturb the migration of the transition metals causing the phase transition and act as a pillar stabilizing the host structure during cycling. The Nb oxide coating also considerably enhanced the capacity and rate capability of the samples, indicating that the undesirable interfacial layer formed from the side reaction was a major resistance factor that reduced the capacity of the cathode. This result confirms that the introduction of K doping and Nb oxide coating is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of Li-rich oxides.

• 신재생에너지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

A Li-rich cathode material, Li_1.167Mn_0.548Ni_0.18Co_0.105O₂, with a spherical shape and high crystallinity, is prepared using flame spray pyrolysis. The post-heat treatment condition influences the properties of the prepared material, such as its structure, morphology, and chemical composition, and optimum performance is achieved at 900℃. Various excess Li contents (0-12 wt.%) are introduced in the precursor solution to compensate for volatilized Li during synthesis, bringing it close to the target composition. Compensation for volatilized Li enhances the electrochemical performance, i.e., the Li-compensated sample shows a good discharge capacity of 247 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 20 mA g^-1 in a potential window of 4.6-2.5 V. In addition, the prepared Li-rich cathode material supplemented with 9 wt.% of the Li source shows increased discharge capacity of 175 and 148 mAh g^-1 at 200 and 400 mA g^-1, respectively, compared with those of a bare sample (164 and 127 mAh g^-1, respectively).

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제68권
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• pp.180-186
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• 2018

We report the discovery of Li-rich $Li_{1+x}[(Ni_{0.225}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.625})_{1-y}V_y]O_2$ as a cathode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in which a small amount of tetravalent vanadium ($V^{4+}$) is selectively and completely incorporated into the manganese sites in the lattice structure. The unwanted oxidation of vanadium to form a $V_2O_5-like$ secondary phase during high-temperature crystallization is prevented by uniformly dispersing the vanadium ions in coprecipitated $[(Ni_{0.225}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.625})_{1-y}V_y](OH)_2$ particles. Upon doping with $V^{4+}$ ions, the initial discharge capacity (>$275mA\;h\;g^{-1}$), capacity retention, and voltage decay characteristics of the Li-rich layered oxides are improved significantly in comparison with those of the conventional undoped counterpart.

• 전기화학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2017

층상구조의 Ni-rich NCM계 양극활물질 $Li[Ni_xCo_{(1-x)/2}Mn_{(1-x)/2}]O_2$ ($x{\geq}0.6$)은 $LiCoO_2$ 대비 높은 에너지밀도와 가격 경쟁력의 장점을 가진다. Ni 함량에 비례하여 가역 방전용량이 증가하는 장점이 있는 반면, 합성 중에 발생하는 양이온 혼합으로 인해 안정적인 전기화학성능을 구현하기 어려운 문제가 있다. 본 연구에서는 합성 분위기, 리튬 원료물질, 합성 시간, 합성 온도, Li/M (M=transition metal) 비율 등의 다양한 합성조건을 변수로 하여 Ni 함량 증가에 따라 최적의 층상구조 Ni-rich NCM을 각각 합성하고 이에 대한 전기화학성능을 보고하였다. $Li[Ni_{0.6}Co_{0.2}Mn_{0.2}]O_2$ (NCM6)을 기준으로 Ni 함량이 증가한 $Li[Ni_{0.7}Co_{0.15}Mn_{0.15}]O_2$ (NCM7)와 $Li[Ni_{0.8}Co_{0.1}Mn_{0.1}]O_2$ (NCM8)의 합성시 전이금속 중 Ni의 비율이 증가함에 따라 양이온 혼합이 증가하는 것이 관찰되었고, 이는 전기화학 성능에 부정적인 영향을 끼치는 것으로 확인되었다. Ni 비율별 NCM에 대한 연구결과 비율 내확인한 최적의 조건에서 NCM6은 $180mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 96.2% (50회), NCM7은 $187mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 94.7% (50회), NCM8은 $201mAh{\cdot}g^{-1}$, 92.7% (50회)의 초기 방전용량 및 수명평가 후 용량유지율 값을 각각 구현하였다.

• 공업화학
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.97-102
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• 2020

최근 리튬이차전지 양극 소재의 다양한 열화 메커니즘들이 밝혀지면서 이것을 제어하여 새로운 전기화학적 특성을 구현하고 기존 소재의 한계점을 극복하고자 하는 연구결과들이 많이 보고되고 있다. 특히, 리튬과잉산화물은 250 mA h g^-1 이상의 고 용량 차세대 리튬이차전지 양극 물질로 주목받고 있으나, 충방전 과정 중에 소재 특유의 원자 구조 열화로 인해 활용이 제한되고 있다. 본 연구는 0.4Li₂MnO₃_0.6LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ 리튬과잉소재의 충방전 과정 중에서 겪는 원자 구조 변화 과정을 분석하여 소재의 열화 과정을 밝히고 이를 개선하기 위한 연구 방향을 제시하고자 한다. 이를 위해, 원자 단위의 분해능을 갖는 전자투과현미경을 활용하여 충방전 중 원자 구조의 변화 과정을 분석하고 이러한 구조 변화가 소재의 전기화학적 특성에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 밝히고자 하였다. 충전 과정 중에 발생한 다량의 리튬 빈자리로 인해 구조 불안정성이 일어났고, 이로 인해 전이 금속이 리튬 빈 자리로 이동하면서 구조 열화가 확인되었다. 결과적으로 이러한 구조 변이는 리튬과잉소재의 가장 큰 문제점인 방전 전압 강하 특성을 야기한다는 것을 알아내었다.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.210-215
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• 2022

Extensive research is being carried out on Ni-rich Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_1-x-y)O₂ (NCM) due to the growing demand for electric vehicles and reduced cost. In particular, Ni-rich Li(Ni_xCo_yMn_1-x-y-zAl_z)O₂ (NCMA) is attracting great attention as a promising candidate for the rapid development of Co-free but electrochemically more stable cathodes. Al, an inactive element in the structure, helps to improve structural stability and is also used as a doping element to improve cycle capability in Ni-rich NCM. In this study, NCMA was successfully synthesized with the desired composition by direct coprecipitation. Boron and tin were also used as dopants to improve the battery performance. Macro- and microstructures in the cathodes were examined by microscopy and X-ray diffraction. While Sn was not successfully doped into NCMA, boron could be doped into NCMA, leading to changes in its physicochemical properties. NCMA doped with boron revealed substantially improved electrochemical properties in terms of capacity retention and rate capability compared to the undoped NCMA.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

The interface between the surface of a cathode material and the electrolyte gives rise to surface reactions such as solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and chemical side reactions. These reactions lead to increased surface resistance and charge transfer resistance. It is consequently necessary to improve the electrochemical characteristics by suppressing these reactions. In order to suppress unnecessary surface reactions, we coated cathode material using polypropylene (PP). The PP coating layer effectively reduced the SEI film that is generated after a 4.3 V initial charging process. By mitigating the formation of the SEI film, the PP-coated Li[(Ni_0.6Co_0.1Mn_0.3)_0.36(Ni_0.80Co_0.15Al0.05)_0.64)]O₂(NCS) electrode provided enhanced transport of Li⁺ ions due to reduced SEI resistance (R_SEI) and charge transfer resistance (R_ct). The initial charge and discharge efficiency of the PP-coated NCS electrode was 96.2 % at a current density of 17 mA/g in a voltage range of 3.0 ~ 4.3 V, whereas the efficiency of the NCS electrode was only 94.7 %. The presence of the protective PP layer on the cathode improved the thermal stability by reducing the generated heat, and this was confirmed via DSC analysis by an increased exothermic peak.