• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2019

To improve the performance of Si anodes in advanced Li-ion batteries, the design of the electrode plays a critical role, especially due to the large volumetric expansion in the Si anode during Li insertion. In our study, we used a simple fabrication method to prepare Si-based electrodes by grafting polyacrylic acid (PAA) to a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder (CMC-g-PAA). The procedure consists of first mixing nano-sized Si and the binders (CMC and PAA), and then coating the slurry on a Cu foil. The carbon network was formed via carbonization of the binders i.e., by a simple heat treatment of the electrode. The carbon network in the electrode is mechanically and electrically robust, which leads to higher electrical conductivity and better mechanical property. This explains its long cycle performance without the addition of a conducting agent (for example, carbon). Therefore, the partially carbonized CMC-g-PAA binder presented in this study represents a new feasible approach to produce Si anodes for use in advanced Li-ion batteries.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2009

Most portable mobile devices employ rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. This lithium-ion battery usually suffers from the possibility of explosion due to heat generation from surrounding atmosphere or internal deficiency during charging or at overuse. To solve these problems, most rechargeable batteries have a built-in protection circuit module (PCM). The resistance of a properly processed $VO_2$ critical temperature sensor (CTS) is changed dramatically at a critical temperature of around $68^{\circ}C$, which can replace some bi-metal, NTC, or PTC sensors embedded in PCM. Such $VO_2$ CTS consumes a very small current at the level of natural discharge. Experimental results showed that this CTS could be applied to a PCM as the PCM could protect the battery while keeping its power consumption at minimum.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2008

To prepare the high-capacity cathode material with improved electrochemical performances, nanoparticles of $C0_3(PO_4)_2$ were coated on the powder surface of $Li[Co_{0.1}Ni_{0.15}Li_{0.2}Mn_{0.55}]O_2$, which was already synthesized by simple combustion method. The coated powders after the heat treatment at >$700^{\circ}C$ surely showed well-structured crystalline property with nanoscale surface coating layer, which was consisted of $LiCOPO_4$ phase formed from the reaction bwtween $CO_3(PO_4)_2$ and lithium impurities. In addition, cycle performance was particularly improved by the $CO_3(PO_4)_2$-coating for the cathode material for lithium rechargeable batteries.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.193-197
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• 2011

The influences of the thickness and microstructure of Fe layer on the electrochemical performances of Fe/Si multilayer thin film anodes were investigated. The Fe/Si multilayer films were prepared by electron beam evaporation, in which Fe layer was deposited with/without simultaneous bombardment of Ar ion. The kinetics of Li insertion/extraction reactions in the early stage are slowed down with increasing the thickness of Fe layer, but such a slowdown seems to be negligible for thin Fe layers less than about $500{\AA}$. When the Fe layer was deposited with ion bombardment, even the $300{\AA}$ thick Fe layer significantly suppress Li diffusion through the Fe layer. This is attributed to the dense microstructure of Fe layer, induced by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). It appears that the Fe/Si multilayer films prepared with IBAD show good cyclability compared to the film deposited without IBAD.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 1998

All solid state lithium based rechargeable batteries were fabricated in a cell structure of Li/PEO-$LiCIO_4$-PC /$LIMn_2O_4$$LIMn_2O_4$ thin films were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering and the spinel structure could be obtained by Rapid Thermal Annealing (RT A) process at the temperature of around 750$750^{\circ}C$ . Room temperature cycling of this cell showed a nearly constant cell potential of 4 V( us. Li) and good reversibility.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.156-165
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• 2017

This study quantitatively assessed the environmental impacts of fuel cell (FC) systems by performing life cycle assessment (LCA) and analyzed their energy efficiencies based on energy return on investment (EROI) and electrical energy stored on investment (ESOI). Molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) system and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system were selected as the fuel cell systems. Five different paths to produce hydrogen ($H_2$) as fuel such as natural gas steam reforming (NGSR), centralized naptha SR (NSR(C)), NSR station (NSR(S)), liquified petroleum gas SR (LPGSR), water electrolysis (WE) were each applied to the FCs. The environmental impacts and the energy efficiencies of the FCs were compared with rechargeable batteries such as $LiFePO_4$ (LFP) and Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH). The LCA results show that MCFC_NSR(C) and PEMFC_NSR(C) have the lowest global warming potential (GWP) with 6.23E-02 kg $CO_2$ eq./MJ electricity and 6.84E-02 kg $CO_2$ eq./MJ electricity, respectively. For the impact category of abiotic resource depletion potential (ADP), MCFC_NGSR(S) and PEMFC_NGSR(S) show the lowest impacts of 7.42E-01 g Sb eq./MJ electricity and 7.19E-01 g Sb eq./MJ electricity, respectively. And, the energy efficiencies of the FCs are higher than those of the rechargeable batteries except for the case of hydrogen produced by WE.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.160-171
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• 2013

$LiNi_{1/3}Co_{1/3}Mn_{1/3}O_2$ powder for cathode materials in lithium rechargeable batteries was treated by atmospheric plasma containing hydrogen to investigate the relationship between charge/discharge performance and physical/chemical changes of materials. Hydrogen plasma at atmosphere pressure was irradiated on the surface of active materials, and the change for their crystal structure, surface morphology, and chemical composition were observed by XRD, SEM-EDS and titration method, respectively. The crystal structure and surface morphology of $H_2$ plasma-treated powders were not changed but their chemical compositions were slightly varied. For charge/discharge test, $H_2$ plasma affected initial capacity and rate capability of active materials but continuous cycling was not subject to plasma treatment. Therefore, it was observed that $H_2$ plasma treatment affected the surface of materials and caused the change of chemical composition.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2012

Modern technology-driven society largely relies on hybrid electric vehicles or electric vehicles for eco-friendly transportation and the use of high technology devices. Lithium rechargeable batteries are the most promising power sources because of its high energy density but still have a challenge. Graphite is the most widely used anode material in the field of lithium rechargeable batteries due to its many advantages such as good cyclic performances, and high charge/discharge efficiency in the initial cycle. However, it has an important safety issue associated with the dendritic lithium growth on the anode surface at high charging current because the conventional graphite approaches almost 0 V vs $Li/Li^+$ at the end of lithium insertion. Therefore, a fundamental solution is to use an electrochemical redox couple with higher equilibrium potentials, which suppresses lithium metal formation on the anode surface. Among the candidates, $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ is a very interesting intercalation compound with safe operation, high rate capability, no volume change, and excellent cycleability. But the insulating character of $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ has raised concerns about its electrochemical performance. The initial insulating character associated with Ti4+ in $Li_4Ti_5O_{12}$ limits the electronic transfer between particles and to the external circuit, thereby worsening its high rate performance. In order to overcome these weak points, several alternative synthetic methods are highly required. Hence, in this presentation, novel ways using a synergetic strategy based on 1D architecture and surface coating will be introduced to enhance the kinetic property of Ti-based electrode. In addition, first-principle calculation will prove its significance to design Ti-based electrode for the most optimized electrochemical performance.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.60-68
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• 2018

In aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries, $LiV_3O_8$ exhibits obviously enhanced electrochemical performance after $AlF_3$ surface modification owing to improved surface stability to fragile aqueous electrolyte. The cycle life of $LiV_3O_8$ is significantly enhanced by the presence of an $AlF_3$ coating at an optimal content of 1 wt.%. The results of powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements confirm that the electrochemical improvement can be attributed mainly to the presence of $AlF_3$ on the surface of $LiV_3O_8$. Furthermore, the $AlF_3$ coating significantly reduces vanadium ion dissolution and surface failure by stabilizing the surface of the $LiV_3O_8$ in an aqueous electrolyte solution. The results suggest that the $AlF_3$ coating can prevent the formation of unfavorable side reaction components and facilitate lithium ion diffusion, leading to reduced surface resistance and improved surface stability compared to bare $LiV_3O_8$ and affording enhanced electrochemical performance in aqueous electrolyte solutions.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.69-70
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• 2006

In lithium-ion batteries, separator membrane's, main role is to physically isolate a cathode and an anode while maintaining rapid transport of ionic charge carriers during the passage of electric current. As far as battery safety is concerned, the electrical isolation of electrodes is most crucial since unexpected short-circuits across the membrane induces hot spots where thermal runaway may break out. Internal short-circuits are generally believed to occur by protrusions on the electrode surface either by unavoidable deposits of metallic impurities or by dendritic lithium growth during battery operation. Another cause is shrinkage of the separator membrane when exposed to heat. If separator membrane can be engineered to prevent the internal short-circuit, it will not be difficult to improve lithium-ion batteries' safety. Commonly the separators employed in lithium-ion batteries are made of polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP). These materials have terrible limitations in preventing the fore-mentioned internal short-circuit between electrodes due to their poor dimensional stability and mechanical strength. In this study we have developed a novel separator membrane that possesses very high thermal and mechanical stability. The cells employing this separator provided noticeable safety improvement in the various abuse tests.