• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.243-248
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• 2014

Silicon-carbon composite was prepared by the magnesiothermic reduction of mesoporous silica and subsequent impregnation with a carbon precursor. This was applied for use as an anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Well-ordered mesoporous silica(SBA-15) was employed as a starting material for the mesoporous silicon, and sucrose was used as a carbon source. It was found that complete removal of by-products ($Mg_2Si$ and $Mg_2SiO_4$) formed by side reactions of silica and magnesium during the magnesiothermic reduction, was a crucial factor for successful formation of mesoporous silicon. Successful formation of the silicon-carbon composite was well confirmed by appropriate characterization tools (e.g., $N_2$ adsorption-desorption, small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses). A lithium-ion battery was fabricated using the prepared silicon-carbon composite as the anode, and lithium foil as the counter-electrode. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the silicon-carbon composite showed better cycling stability than graphite, when used as the anode in the lithium-ion battery. This improvement could be due to the fact that carbon efficiently suppressed the change in volume of the silicon material caused by the charge-discharge cycle. This indicates that silicon-carbon composite, prepared via the magnesiothermic reduction and impregnation methods, could be an efficient anode material for lithium ion batteries.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.502-510
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• 2021

Hierarchically porous carbon materials with high nitrogen functionalities are extensively studied as high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials. In this study, nitrogen-doped porous carbon textile (N-PCT) with hierarchical pore structures is prepared as an electrode material for supercapacitors from a waste cotton T-shirt (WCT). Porous carbon textile (PCT) is first prepared from WCT by two-step heat treatment of stabilization and carbonization. The PCT is then nitrogen-doped with urea at various concentrations. The obtained N-PCT is found to have multi-modal pore structures with a high specific surface area of 1,299 m² g^-1 and large total pore volume of 1.01 cm³ g^-1. The N-PCT-based electrode shows excellent electrochemical performance in a 3-electrode system, such as a specific capacitance of 235 F g^-1 at 1 A g^-1, excellent cycling stability of 100 % at 5 A g^-1 after 1,000 cycles, and a power density of 2,500 W kg^-1 at an energy density of 3.593 Wh kg^-1. Thus, the prepared N-PCT can be used as an electrode material for supercapacitors.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2019

To improve the performance of carbon nanofibers as electrode material in electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), we prepare three types of samples with different pore control by electrospinning. The speciments display different surface structures, melting behavior, and electrochemical performance according to the process. Carbon nanofibers with two complex treatment processes show improved performance over the other samples. The mesoporous carbon nanofibers (sample C), which have the optimal conditions, have a high sepecific surface area of $696m^2g^{-1}$, a high average pore diameter of 6.28 nm, and a high mesopore volume ratio of 87.1%. In addition, the electrochemical properties have a high specific capacitance of $110.1F\;g^{-1}$ at a current density of $0.1A\;g^{-1}$ and an excellent cycling stability of 84.8% after 3,000 cycles at a current density of $0.1A\;g^{-1}$. Thus, we explain the improved electrochemical performance by the higher reaction area due to an increased surface area and a faster diffusion path due to the increased volume fraction of the mesopores. Consequently, the mesoporous carbon nanofibers are demonstrated to be a very promising material for use as electrode materials of high-performance EDLCs.

• Nano
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.1850148.1-1850148.9
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• 2018

The interconnected three-dimensional Ni-Co-S nanosheets were successfully deposited on ZnO nanorods by a one-step potentiostatic electrodeposition. The Ni-Co-S nanosheets provide a large electrode/electrolyte interfacial area which has adequate electroactive sites for redox reactions. Electrochemical characterization of the ZnO@Ni-Co-S core-shell nanorods presents high specifc capacitance (1302.5 F/g and 1085 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g and 20 A/g), excellent rate capabilities (83.3% retention at 20 A/g) and great cycling stability (65% retention after 5000 cycles at a current density of 30 A/g). The outstanding electrochemical performance of the as-prepared electrode material also can be ascribed to these reasons that the special structure improved electrical conductivity and allowed the fast diffusion of electrolyte ions.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.169-175
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• 2019

In lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the stress induced by the volume change of an electrode during charge-discharge processes may often cause the mechanical integrity of the electrode to degrade. Polymer binders with enhanced mechanical properties are preferred for improved mechanical integrity and cycling stability of the electrode. In addition, given that sliding and shearing between the polymer binder and components in the electrode may readily occur, frictional and adhesion characteristics of the polymer binder may play a critical role in the mechanical integrity of the electrode. In this study, frictional and adhesion characteristics of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were investigated using a colloidal probe atomic force microscope. Friction loops were obtained under various normal forces ranging from 0 to 159 nN in air and electrolyte and then the interfacial shear strengths of PAN and PVDF in air were calculated to be $1.4{\pm}0.5$ and $1.3{\pm}0.3MPa$, respectively. The results show that in electrolyte, interfacial shear strength of PAN decreased slightly ($1.2{\pm}0.2MPa$), whereas that of PVDF decreased drastically ($0.06{\pm}0.01MPa$). Decreases in mechanical properties and adhesion in electrolyte may be responsible for the decrease in interfacial shear strength in electrolyte. The findings from this study may be helpful in developing polymer binders to improve the mechanical integrity of electrodes in LIBs.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Structure & Construction
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Due to structural characteristics, construction costs and duration of a modular system would be saved by minimizing the schedule on the job site. As such, it is crucial to develop a connection that can guarantee stiffness while allowing for simple assembling. Particularly, the mid- to high-rise construction of the modular system necessitates the securing of the structural stability and seismic performance of multi-unit frames and connections, and thus, the stiffness of unit-assembled structures needs to be re-evaluated and designed. However, evaluating a frame consisting of slender members and reinforcing materials is a complicated process. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the structural characteristics of a modular unit connection based a method for reinforcing connection brackets and hinges while minimizing the loss of the cross section. Toward this end, the study modeled the beam-to-column connection of a modular system with the proposed connection, and produced a specimen which was used to perform a cycling loading test. The study compared the initial stiffness, the attributes of the hysteretic behavior, and the maximum flexural moment, and observed whether the model acquired the seismic performance, compared to the flexural strength of the steel moment frame connection that is required by the Korean Building Code. The test results showed that the proposed connection produced a similar initial stiffness value to that of the theoretical equation, and its maximum strength exceeded the theoretical strength. Furthermore, the model with a larger ceiling bracket showed higher seismic performance, which was further increased by the reinforcement of the plate.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.710-718
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• 2021

Recently, due to high theoretical capacitance and excellent ion diffusion rate caused by the 2D layered crystal structure, transition metal hydroxides (TMHs) have generated considerable attention as active materials in supercapacitors (or electrochemical capacitors). However, TMHs should be designed using morphological or structural modification if they are to be used as active materials in supercapacitors, because they have insulation properties that induce low charge transfer rate. This study aims to modify the morphological structure for high cycling stability and fast charge storage kinetics of TMHs through the use of nickel cobalt hydroxide [NiCo(OH)₂] decorated on nickel foam. Among the samples used, needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ decorated on nickel foam offers a high specific capacitance (1110.9 F/g at current density of 0.5 A/g) with good rate capability (1110.9 - 746.7 F/g at current densities of 0.5 - 10.0 A/g). Moreover, at a high current density (10.0 A/g), a remarkable capacitance (713.8 F/g) and capacitance retention of 95.6% after 5000 cycles are noted. These results are attributed to high charge storage sites of needle-like NiCo(OH)₂ and uniformly grown NiCo(OH)₂ on nickel foam surface.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.246-256
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• 2021

Mo,Cu-doped CeO₂ (CMCuO) nanopowders were synthesized by the nitrate-fuel combustion method aiming to improve the electrical and electrochemical properties of its Mo-doped CeO₂ (CMO) parent by the addition of copper. An electrical conductivity of ca. 1.22·10^-2 S cm^-1 was measured in air at 800℃ for CMCuO, which is nearly 10 times higher than that reported for CMO. This increase was associated with the inclusion of copper into the crystal lattice of ceria and the presence of Cu and Cu₂O as secondary phases in the CMCuO structure, which also could explain the increase in the charge transfer activities of the CMCuO based anode for the hydrogen and carbon monoxide electro-oxidation processes compared to the CMO based anode. A maximum power density of ca. 120 mW cm^-2 was measured using a CMCuO based anode in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with YSZ electrolyte and LSM-YSZ cathode operating at 800℃ with humidified syngas as fuel, which is comparable to the power output reported for other SOFCs with anodes containing copper. An increase in the area specific resistance of the SOFC was observed after ca. 10 hours of operation under cycling open circuit voltage and polarization conditions, which was attributed to the anode delamination caused by the reduction of the Cu₂O secondary phase contained in its microstructure. Therefore, the addition of a more electroactive phase for hydrogen oxidation is suggested to confer long-term stability to the CMCuO based anode.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.4
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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.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.270-279
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• 2022

In this study, N/S co-doped carbon felt (N/S-CF) was prepared and characterized as an electrode material for electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). A commercial carbon felt (CF) was immersed in an aqueous solution of thiourea and then thermally treated at 800 ℃ under an inert atmosphere. The prepared N/S-CF showed a large specific surface area with hierarchical pore structures. The electrochemical performance of the N/S-CF-based electrode was evaluated using both 3-electrode and 2-electrode systems. In the 3-electrode system, the N/S-CF-based electrode showed a good specific capacitance of 177 F/g at 1 A/g and a good rate capability of 41% at 20 A/g. In the 2-electrode system (symmetric capacitor), the freestanding N/S-CF-based electrode showed a specific capacitance of 275 mF/cm² at 2 mA/cm², a rate capability of 62.5 % at 100 mA/cm², a specific power density of ~ 25,000 mW/cm² at an energy density of 23.9 mWh/cm², and a cycling stability of ~ 100 % at 100 mA/cm² after 20,000 cycles. These results indicate the N/S co-doped carbon felts can be a promising candidate as a new electrode material in a symmetric capacitor.