• Ceramist
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.312-330
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• 2018

Energy storage/conversion has become crucial not only to meet the present energy demand but also more importantly to sustain the modern society. Particularly, electrical energy storage is critical not only to support electronic, vehicular and load-levelling applications but also to efficiently commercialize renewable energy resources such as solar and wind. While Li-ion batteries are being intensely researched for electric vehicle applications, there is a pressing need to seek for new battery chemistries aimed at stationary storage systems. In this aspect, Zn-ion batteries offer a viable option to be utilized for high energy and power density applications since every intercalated Zn-ion yields a concurrent charge transfer of two electrons and thereby high theoretical capacities can be realized. Furthermore, the simplicity of fabrication under open-air conditions combined with the abundant and less toxic zinc element makes aqueous Zn-ion batteries one of the most economical, safe and green energy storage technologies with prospective use for stationary grid storage applications. Also, Zn-ion batteries are very safe for next-generation technologies based on flexible, roll-up, wearable implantable devices the portable electronics market. Following this advantages, a wide range of approaches and materials, namely, cathodes, anodes and electrolytes have been investigated for Zn-ion batteries applications to date. Herein, we review the progresses and major advancements related to aqueous. Zn-ion batteries, facilitating energy storage/conversion via $Zn^{2+}$ (de)intercalation mechanism.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.162-173
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• 2023

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are considered as promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for energy storage owing to their safety and cost efficiency. However, their lifespan is limited by the irreversibility of Zn anodes because of Zn dendrite growth and side reactions such as the hydrogen evolution reaction and corrosion during cycling. Herein, we present a strategy to restrict direct contact between the Zn anode and aqueous electrolyte by fabricating a protective layer on the surface of Zn foil via phosphidation method. The Zn₃(PO₄)₂ protective layer effectively suppresses Zn dendrite growth and side reactions in aqueous electrolytes. The electrochemical properties of the Zn₃(PO₄)₂@Zn anode, such as the overpotential, linear polarization resistance, and hydrogen generation reaction, indicate that the protective layer can suppress interfacial corrosion and improve the electrochemical stability compared to that of bare Zn by preventing direct contact between the electrolyte and the active sites of Zn. Remarkably, MnO₂ Zn₃(PO₄)₂@Zn exhibited enhanced reversibility owing to the formation a stable porous layer, which effectively inhibited vertical dendrite growth by inducing the uniform plating of Zn²⁺ ions underneath the formed layer.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.161-171
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• 2015

High-yield zinc germanium oxide ($Zn_2GeO_4$) and zinc tin oxide ($Zn_2SnO_4$) nanowires were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. We investigated the electrochemical properties of these $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires as anode materials of lithium ion battery and sodium ion battery. The $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires showed excellent cycling performance of the lithium ion battery, with a maximum capacity of 1021 mAh/g and 692 mAh/g after 50 cycles, respectively, with a high Coulomb efficiency of 98 %. For the first time, we examined the cycling performance of $Zn_2GeO_4$ and $Zn_2SnO_4$ nanowires for sodium ion batteries. The maximum capacity is 168 mAh/g and 200 mAh/g after 50 cycles, respectively, with a high Coulomb efficiency of 97%. These nanowires are expected as promising electrode materials for the development of high-performance lithium ion batteries as well as sodium ion batteries.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.3333-3337
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• 2011

$ZnMn_2O_4$ has been prepared by a mechanochemical process using a mixture of $Mn_2O_3$ and ZnO as starting materials, and investigated as a possible anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The phase evolution and morphologies of the ball-milled and annealed powders are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive microanalysis (EDX), respectively. The solid-state reaction for the formation of $ZnMn_2O_4$, under the given experimental conditions, is achieved in a short time (30 min), and the prepared samples exhibit excellent electrochemical performances including an enhanced initial coulombic efficiency, high reversible capacity, and stable capacity retention with cycling.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.338-347
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• 2024

𝛼-MnO₂ as a cathode material for Zn-ion batteries allows insertion and extraction of Zn ions within its tunnel structure during charge and discharge. The morphology and crystal structure of 𝛼-MnO₂ particles critically determine their electrochemical behavior and energy storage performance. In this study, 𝛼-MnO₂ was synthesized from precursor solutions under varying pH conditions using a hydrothermal method. The effects of pH values on the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance were systematically analyzed. The analysis revealed that materials synthesized at higher pH levels exhibited elongated and narrow nanorods with a lower specific surface area. In contrast, those formed at lower pH levels showed shorter, thicker nanorods with a higher specific surface area. This increased surface area at a lower pH enhanced the specific capacitance by providing a greater electrode/electrolyte interfacial area. By contrast, the material synthesized at higher pH conditions demonstrated superior rate capability, attributed to its crystal structure with wider lattice spacings. Wide lattice parameters in the material synthesized at higher pH conditions facilitated easier ion transport than at lower pH levels. Consequently, the study confirms that adjusting the pH of the precursor solution can optimize the electrochemical properties of 𝛼-MnO₂ for Zn-ion batteries.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2024

There have been continuous requirements for developing more reliable energy storage systems that could address unsolved problems in conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and thus be a proper option for large-scale applications like energy storage system (ESS). As a promising solution, aqueous metal-ion batteries (AMIBs) where water is used as a primary electrolyte solvent, have been emerging owing to excellent safety, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly feature. Particularly, AMIBs adopting mutivalence metal ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Al³⁺) as mobile charge carriers has been paid much attention because of their abundance on globe and high volumetric capacity. In this research trend review, one of the most popular AMIBs, zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), will be discussed. Since it is well-known that ZIBs suffer from various (electro) chemical/physical side reactions, we introduce the challenges and recent advances in the study of ZIBs mainly focusing on widening the electrochemical window of aqueous electrolytes as well as improving electrochemical properties of cathode, and anode materials.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.559-564
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• 2019

Hierarchical $ZnCo_2O_4$ hollow nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and subsequent heat-treatment process. The spinning solution containing polystyrene (PS) nanobeads was electrospun to nanofibers. During heat-treatment process, PS nanobeads in the composite were decomposed and therefore generated numerous pores uniformly in the structure, which facilitated the heat transfer and gas penetration into the structure. The resulting hierarchical $ZnCo_2O_4$ hollow nanofibers were applied as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The discharge capacity of the nanofibers was $815mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ ($646mA\;h\;cm^{-3}$) after the 300th cycle at a high current density of $1.0A\;g^{-1}$. However, $ZnCo_2O_4$ nanopowders showed the discharge capacity of $487mA\;h\;g^{-1}$ ($450mA\;h\;cm^{-3}$) after 300th cycle. The excellent lithium ion storage property of the hierarchical $ZnCo_2O_4$ hollow nanofibers was attributed to the synergetic effects of the hollow nanofiber structure and the $ZnCo_2O_4$ nanocrystals composing the shell. The hierarchical hollow nanofiber structure introduced in this study can be extended to various metal oxides for various applications, including energy storage.

• Nanomaterials
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.680-690
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• 2022

Phase-pure ZnMn₂O₄ nanopowders and their aggregated microsphere powders for use as anode material in lithium-ion batteries were obtained by a simple spray drying process using zinc and manganese salts as precursors, followed by citric acid post-annealing at different temperatures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that phase-pure ZnMn₂O₄ powders were obtained even at a low post-annealing temperature of 400 ℃. The post-annealed powders were transformed into nanopowders by simple milling process, using agate mortar. The mean particle sizes of the ZnMn₂O₄ powders post-treated at 600 and 800 ℃ were found to be 43 and 85 nm, respectively, as determined by TEM observation. To provide practical utilization, the nanopowders were transformed into aggregated microspheres consisting of ZnMn₂O₄ nanoparticles by a second spray drying process. Based on the systematic analysis, the optimum post-annealing temperature required to obtain ZnMn₂O₄ nanopowders with high capacity and good cycle performance was found to be 800 ℃. Moreover, aggregated ZnMn₂O₄ microsphere showed improved cycle stability. The discharge capacities of the aggregated microsphere consisting of ZnMn₂O₄ nanoparticles post-treated at 800 ℃ were 1235, 821, and 687 mA h g^-1 for the 1st, 2nd, and 100th cycles at a high current density of 2.0 A g^-1, respectively. The capacity retention measured after the second cycle was 84%.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2013

Components of zinc-air battery and their problems are explained. Energy density of zinc air battery is superior to other commercial ones including Li-ion batteries. Cycle life of the zinc air batteries is poor because of irreversible redox reactions on both electrodes. In order to improve the performance of the zinc air battery, catalysts, passivation, and the new structure of electrodes should be developed to optimize several reactions in an electrode. Multidisciplinary efforts, such as mechanics, corrosion science, composite materials are necessary from the beginning of the research to obtain a meaningful product.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2019

High-voltage operation of the lithium ion battery is one of the advantageous approaches to obtain high energy capacity without changing the conventional cell components and structure. However, operating at harsh condition inevitably results in severe side reactions at the electrode surface and structural disintegration of active material particles. Herein we coated layers composed of $Al_2O_3$ and ZnO on the electrode based on NCM using atomic layer deposition (ALD). Thicker layers of novel Al-doped ZnO (AZO) coating compared to conventional ALD coated layers are prepared. Cathode based on NCM with the varying AZO coating thickness are fabricated and used for coin cell assembly. Effect of ALD coating thickness on the charge-discharge cycle behavior obtained at high-voltage operation was investigated.