• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.425-431
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• 2019

As rechargeable metal-air batteries will be ideal energy storage devices in the future, an active cathode electrocatalyst is required with bi-functionality on both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) during discharge and charge, respectively. Here, a class of perovskite cathode catalyst with a micro-tubular structure has been developed by controlling bi-functionality from different Ru and Ni dopant ratios. A micro-tubular structure is achieved by the activated carbon fiber (ACF) templating method, which provides uniform size and shape. At the perovskite formula of $LaCrO_3$, the dual dopant system is successfully synthesized with a perfect incorporation into the single perovskite structure. The chemical oxidation states for each Ni and Ru also confirm the partial substitution to B-site of Cr without any changes in the major perovskite structure. From the electrochemical measurements, the micro-tubular feature reveals much more efficient catalytic activity on ORR and OER, comparing to the grain catalyst with same perovskite composition. By changing the Ru and Ni ratio, the $LaCr_{0.8}Ru_{0.1}Ni_{0.1}O_3$ micro-tubular catalyst exhibits great bi-functionality, especially on ORR, with low metal loading, which is comparable to the commercial catalyst of Pt and Ir. This advanced catalytic property on the micro-tubular structure and Ru/Ni synergy effect at the perovskite material may provide a new direction for the next-generation cathode catalyst in metal-air battery system.

• 한국결정성장학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.92-97
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• 2024

수소 생산을 위한 물 분해 시스템의 효율성을 높이려면 산소 발생 반응(OER, Oxygen Evolution Reaction)에서 촉매로 인해 발생하는 전기화학 반응의 높은 과전압을 감소시켜야 한다. 그중 전이금속을 포함하는 LDH(Layered Double Hydroxide)와 같은 화합물은 현재 사용되고 있는 백금 등의 귀금속을 대체할 수 있는 촉매 소재로 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 저렴한 금속 다공성 물질인 니켈 폼을 지지체로 사용하였고, 수열합성 공정을 통해 NiCo LDH 나노결정을 합성하였다. 또한, OER 특성을 향상시키기 위해 Mo를 도핑하여 합성한 Mo 도핑된 NiCo LDH 나노결정 시료의 형태, 결정구조, 물분해 특성의 변화를 관찰하였다.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.401-409
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• 2021

The combination of different concentrations of ZnSO₄ in acidic solution as electrolyte in Zn-air batteries was investigated by Zn symmetrical cell test, half-cell and full cell tests. Using 1 M ZnSO₄ + 0.05 M H₂SO₄ as electrolyte and MnO₂ as air cathode catalyst with Zn foil anode, this combination had a satisfactory performance with balance of electrochemical activity and stability. Its electrochemical activity was matched to or even better than the PtRu catalyst in different current density. And its cycle life was improved (more than 100 cycles stable) by suppressing the growth of zinc dendrites on anode obviously. This electrolyte overcame the shortcomings of alkaline electrolyte that are easy to react with CO₂ in the air, severely growth of Zn dendrites caused by uneven plating/stripping of Zn.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.677-684
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• 2016

Various commercially available gas diffusion layers (GDLs) from different manufacturers were used to prepare an air electrode using $La_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}CoO_3$ perovskite (LSCP) as the catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in an alkaline solution. Various GDLs have different physical properties, such as porosity, conductivity, hydrophobicity, etc. The ORR and OER of the resulting cathode were electrochemically evaluated in an alkaline solution. The electrochemical properties of the resulting cathodes were slightly different when compared to the physical properties of GDLs. Pore structure and conductivity of GDLs had a prominent effect and their hydrophobicities had a minor effect on the electrochemical performances of cathodes for ORR and OER.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.41-52
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• 2021

NiO and Co3O4-doped porous La(CoNi)O3 perovskite oxides were prepared from excess Ni addition by a hydrothermal method using porous silica template, and characterized as bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for Zn-air rechargeable batteries in alkaline solution. Excess Ni induced to form NiO and Co3O4 in La(CoNi)O3 particles. The NiO and Co3O4-doped porous La(CoNi)O3 showed high specific surface area, up to nine times of conventionally synthesized perovskite oxide, and abundant pore volume with similar structure. Extra added Ni was partially substituted for Co as B site of ABO3 perovskite structure and formed to NiO and Co3O4 which was highly dispersed in particles. Excess Ni in La(CoNi)O3 catalysts increased OER performance (259 mA/㎠ at 2.4 V) in alkaline solution, although the activities (211 mA/㎠ at 0.5 V) for ORR were not changed with the content of excess Ni. La(CoNi)O3 with excess Ni showed very stable cyclability and low capacity fading rate (0.38 & 0.07 ㎶/hour for ORR & OER) until 300 hours (~70 cycles) but more excess content of Ni in La(CoNi)O3 gave negative effect to cyclability.

• 마이크로전자및패키징학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

산성 조건에서의 산소 발생 반응(OER)의 효율 향상 및 안정적인 전기 촉매 개발은 양이온 교환 막 (PEM) 수전해 장치의 상용화를 위한 바람직한 목표다. 여기서 우리는 산성 OER에 대해 Ir 함량이 낮은 유망한 촉매로서 Ir이 도핑된 수소화 티타네이트 (Ir-HTO) 나노벨트를 보고한다. 크게 확인할 수 있는 {100}면이 있는 단결정 HTO 나노벨트에 낮은 함량의 Ir(~3.36 at %)을 추가하면 산성 조건에서 OER에 대한 촉매 활성과 안정성이 크게 향상된다. Ir-HTO는 상용적인 대조군 IrO2 촉매보다 성능이 뛰어나다. 10mA cm^-2의 전류밀도에서 과전압은 Ir-HTO가 25% 감소했다. Ir-HTO 촉매 성능은 산성 OER에 대한 가장 효율적인 전기 촉매로서 자리 잡고 있다. 심층적인 전기화학적 특성화를 통해 Ir-HTO에 대해 개선된 고유한 촉매 활성 및 안정성도 확인되었다. 따라서, 우리의 실험결과는 낮은 함량의 Ir이 도핑된 단결정 HTO 나노벨트가 산성조건에서 효율적이고 내구성 있는 OER 촉매로 유망 될 수 있음을 보여준다.

• 마이크로전자및패키징학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2020

광전기화학적 물분해에서 광전극으로 이용되는 GaN은 전해질에 대해 높은 안정성을 가지고 있으며 물의 산화 환원준위를 포함하고 있어 외부전압 없이 물분해가 가능하다. 그러나 GaN 광전극의 경우, 재료 자체의 효율이 낮아 상용화하기에는 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 광효율을 향상시키기 위해 Cobalt phosphate(Co-pi) 촉매를 광전기증착(Photoelectro-deposition)방법을 통하여 GaN 광전극에 도입하였다. Co-pi 촉매 증착 후 SEM, EDS, XPS분석을 진행하여 Co-pi의 증착 여부 및 증착 정도를 확인하고, Potentiostat를 이용해 PEC 특성을 분석하였다. SEM 이미지를 통해 Co-pi가 GaN 표면 위에 20~25 nm 사이즈의 클러스터 형태로 고르게 증착되어 있는 것을 확인하였다. EDS 및 XPS 분석을 통해 GaN 표면의 입자가 Co-pi임을 확인하였다. 이 후 측정된 PEC 특성에서 Co-pi를 증착 시킨 후 0.5 mA/㎠에서 0.75 mA/㎠로 향상된 광전류밀도 값을 얻을 수 있었다. 향상된 원인을 밝히기 위하여, 임피던스 및 Mott-Schottky 측정을 진행하였고, 측정 결과, 50.35 Ω에서 34.16 Ω으로 감소한 분극저항(R_p)과 증가된 donor 농도(N_D) 값을 확인하였다. 물분해 전 후, 표면 성분을 분석한 결과 물분해 후에도 Co-pi가 남아있음으로써 Co-pi 촉매가 안정적이라는 것을 확인하였다. 이를 통해, Co-pi가 GaN의 효율 향상을 위한 촉매로서 효과가 있음을 확인하였고, 다른 광전극에 촉매로써 적용시켰을 경우, PEC 시스템의 효율을 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• 전기화학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.69-80
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• 2022

고순도 수소생산을 위한 음이온 교환막 수전해는 양성자 교환막 수전해 시스템에서 사용되는 기존 귀금속 촉매 대신 저렴한 비귀금속 기반 촉매를 사용하여 차세대 녹색 수소 생산 기술로 많은 관심을 받고 있다. 하지만 음이온 교환막 수전해 기술은 개발 초기 단계이기 때문에 음이온 교환막 수전해의 핵심 요소인 음이온 교환막, 이오노머, 전극지지체 및 촉매에 관한 연구 수행이 필요하다. 그 중, 현재 촉매 분야에서 진행되고 있는 연구들은 기개발된 알칼리용 반쪽전지 촉매를 음이온 교환막 시스템에 적용하는 방향의 연구가 진행되고 있으며 적용된 촉매는 낮은 활성도와 내구성의 문제점을 가진다. 이에 본 총설은 알칼리성 매질에서 비귀금속 기반 촉매를 사용하여 산소발생반응 및 수소발생반응을 촉진시킨 촉매 합성 기술을 제시하였다.

• 세라미스트
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.416-426
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• 2018

Water splitting is regarded as one of the most environmentally benign routes for hydrogen production. Nevertheless, the low energy efficiency to produce the hydrogen has been a critical bottleneck, which is attributable to the multi-electron and multi-step reactions during water splitting reaction. In this respect, the development of efficient, durable, and inexpensive catalysts that can promote the reaction is indispensable. Extensive searching for new catalysts has been carried out for past decades, identifying several promising catalysts. Recently, researchers have found that conventional battery materials; particularly high-voltage intercalation-based cathode materials, could exhibit remarkable performance in catalyzing the water splitting process. One of the unique capabilities in this class of materials is that the valency state of metals and the atomic arrangement of the structure can be easily tailored, based on simple intercalation chemistry. Moreover, taking advantage of the rich prior knowledge on the intercalation compounds can offer the unexplored path to identify new water splitting catalysts.

• 한국수소및신에너지학회논문집
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.23-32
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• 2020

The intermittent characteristics of renewable energy complicates the process of balancing supply with demand. Electrolysis technology can provide flexibility to grid management by converting electricity to hydrogen. Alkaline electrolysis has been recognized as established technology and utilized in industry for over 100 years. However, high overpotential of oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water electrolysis reduces the overall efficiency and therefore requires the development of anode catalyst. In this study, Raney Ni-Zn-Fe electrode was prepared by electroplating and the electrode characteristics was studied by varying electroplating parameters like electrodeposition time, current density and substrate. The prepared Raney Ni-Zn-Fe electrode was electrochemically evaluated using linear sweep voltammetry. Physical and chemical analysis were conducted by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and X-ray diffraction. The plating time did not changed the morphology and composition of the electrode surface and showed a little effect on overpotential reduction. As the plating current density increased, Fe content on the surface increased and cauliflower-like structure appeared on the electrode surface. In particular, the overpotential of the electrode, which was prepared at the plating current density of 320 mA/㎠, has showed the lowest value of 268 mV at 50 mA/㎠. There was no distinguishable overpotential difference between the type of substrate for the electrodes prepared at 80 mA/㎠.