• Carbon letters
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.157-160
• /
• 2012

In this work, iron oxide ($Fe_3O_4$) nanoparticles were deposited on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by a simple chemical coprecipitation method and $Fe_3O_4$-decorated MWNTs (Fe-MWNTs)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanocomposites (Fe-MWNTs/PPy) were prepared by oxidation polymerization. The effect of the PPy on the electrochemical properties of the Fe-MWNTs was investigated. The structures characteristics and surface properties of MWNTs, Fe-MWNTs, and Fe-MWNTs/PPy were characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The electrochemical performances of MWNTs, Fe-MWNTs, and Fe-MWNTs/PPy were determined by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge characteristics in a 1.0 M sodium sulfite electrolyte. The results showed that the Fe-MWNTs/PPy electrode had typical pseudo-capacitive behavior and a specific capacitance significantly greater than that of the Fe-MWNT electrode, indicating an enhanced electrochemical performance of the Fe-MWNTs/PPy due to their high electrical properties.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2008

The commercial activated carbons are typically prepared by activation from coconut shell char or coal char containing lots of inorganic impurities. They also have pore structure and pore size distribution depending on nanostructure of precursor materials. In this study, two types of commercial activated carbons were applied for EDLC electrode by removing impurities with acid treatments, and controlling pore size distribution and contents of functional group with heat treatment. The effect of the surface functional groups on electrochemical performance of the activated carbon electrodes was investigated. The initial gravimetric and volumetric capacitance of coconut based activated carbon electrode which was acid treated by $HNO_3$ and then heat treated at $800^{\circ}C$ were 90 F/g and 42 F/cc respectively showing 94% of charge-discharge efficiency. Such a good electrochemical performance can be possibly applied to the medium capacitance of EDLC.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.12-20
• /
• 2018

To solve low cycle efficiency of the zinc anode in Zn-air batteries by corrosion, this study examined the effects of Al as a cathodic protection additive to Zn. The Al-mixed Zn anodes were produced by mixing Zn and Al powder (1, 2, and 3 wt. %). To compare the effects of the Al additive, Si was selected under the same conditions. The morphology and elemental composition of the additives in the Zn were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry. The anti-corrosion effects of the Al and Si-mixed Zn anodes were examined by linear polarization. Cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests were conducted to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the Al and Si-mixed Zn anodes. As a result, the Al-mixed Zn anodes showed highest corrosion resistance and cycling performance. Among these, the 2 wt.% Al-mixed Zn anodes exhibited best electrochemical performance.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.363-365
• /
• 1999

The improved method comprises electrochemically deposition of nickel hydroxide into the sintered nickel plaque cathode from nickel aqueous electrolyte at acid pH in a treating zone containing an anode. The electrochemical impregnation was examined under various conditions. Deposition condition of fine active material was obtained from the impregnation of a high temperature and also high current density. This method also could be decreased swelling and buckling of the plaque. A nickel electrode prepared by electrochemical impregnation is useful as the positive in nickel-cadmium cells. The utilization of the active material indicated almost 100% based on a one electron charge.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.33 no.5
• /
• pp.523-531
• /
• 2022

A NiCo-metal organic framework (MOF) electrode, prepared using urea as a surfactant, was synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal method. The addition of urea to the NiCo-MOF creates interstitial voids and an ultra-thin nanostructure in the NiCo-MOF, which improves its charge transfer performance. We obtained the optimal metal to surfactant ratio to achieve the best specific capacitance. The NiCo-MOF was employed as the working electrode material in a three-electrode system. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to characterize the microstructures and morphologies of the composites. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy curves were employed to quantify the electrochemical properties of the electrodes in a 6 M KOH electrolyte.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.415-421
• /
• 2004

The voltage profile of Zinc/Air battery during discharge has very flat pattern in a given voltage range, But, if not enough the porosity in cathode, as a result of that capacity, energy and discharge voltage of batteries become low. Therefore, we focused the pore effects in activated carbon for cathode. We examined discharge voltage, specific capacity, specific energy, resistance and characteristics during the GSM pulse discharge upon different kinds of activated carbon in Zinc/Air battery, Also we measured porosity of the air cathode according to the ASTM. So we achieved improvement of specific capacity, specific energy and discharge voltage according to increase meso pores of activated carbon. We found the optimized activated carbon material for Zinc/Air battery.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.72-75
• /
• 2000

For the purpose of developing the non-stoichiometric Zr-based Laves phase alloy with higher capacity and better performance for electrochemical application, extensive work has been carried out in KAIST. After careful alloy design of $ZrMn_2-based$ hydrogen storage alloys through varing their stoichiometry while susbstituting or adding some alloying elements, the $Zr-Ti-(Lh-V-Ni)_{2.2},\;Zr-Ti-(Mn-V-Cr-Ni)_{1.8\pm0.1}$ with high capacity and better performance was developed. Consequently the $Zr-Ti-(Mn-V-Ni)_{2.2}$ alloy has a high discharge capacity of 394mAh/g and shows a high rate capability equaling to that of commercialized $AB_5$ type alloys. On the other hand, in order to develop the hydrogen storage alloy with higher discharge capacity, the hypo-stoichiometric $Zr(Mn-V-Ni)_{2-\alpha}$ alloys substituted by Ti are under developing. As the result of competitive roles of Ti and $stocihiometry({\alpha})$, the discharge capacity of $Zr-Ti-(Mn-V-Cr-Ni)_{l.8\pm0.1}$ alloys is about 400mAh/g(410 mAh/g, which shows the highest level of performance in the Zr-based alloy developed. Our sequential endeavor is improving the shortcoming of Zr-based Laves phase alloy for commercialization, i.e., poor activation property and low rate capability, etc. It is therefore believed that the commercialization of Zr-based Laves phase hydrogen storage alloy for Ni-MH rechargeable battery is in near future.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2012

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance is changed by the complicated physical phenomenon. In this study, water discharge performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell were performed numerically to compare serpentine channel flow fields of 5-pass 4-turn serpentine and 25 $cm^2$ reaction surface between with and without sub-channel at the rib. Through the supplement of sub channel flow field, it is shown from the results that water removal characteristic inside channel improves because the flow direction of under-rib convection is changed into the sub channel. Reacting gases supplied from entrance disperse into sub channel flow field and electrochemical reaction occurs uniformly over the reaction surface. The results obtained that total current density distributions become uniform because residence time of reacting gases traveling to sub-channel flow field is longer than to main channel.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.76-84
• /
• 2011

Potentiostatic oxidation of Pb-1.7%Sb alloy used in the manufacture of grids of lead-acid batteries over the potential range from -1.0V to 2.3V in 5M $H_2SO_4$ in the absence and the presence of 0.4M $H_3PO_4$ and the self-discharge characteristics of the oxide layer formed is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Depending on the potential value, sharp variations in resistance and capacitance of the alloy are recorded during the oxidation and they can be used for identification of the various substances involved in passive layer. Addition of $H_3PO_4$ is found to deteriorate the insulating properties of the passive layer by the retardation of the formation of $PbSO_4$. $H_3PO_4$ completely inhibits the current and impedance fluctuations recorded in $H_3PO_4$-free solutions in the potential range 0.5 V-1.7 V. These fluctuations are attributed to the occurrence of competitive redox processes that involve the formation of $PbSO_4$, $PbOSO_4$, PbO and $PbO_2$ and the repeated formation and breakdown of the passive layer. Self-discharge experiments indicate that the amount of $PbO_2$ formed in the presence of $H_3PO_4$ is lesser than in the $H_3PO_4$-free solutions. The start of transformation of $PbSO_4$ into $PbO_2$ is greatly shortened. $H_3PO_4$ facilitates the diffusion process of soluble species through the passive layer ($PbSO_4$ and basic $PbSO_4$) but impedes the diffusion process through $PbO_2$.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.142-149
• /
• 2005

[ $LiNiO_2$ ] was mixed with $TiO_2$ or ZnO for the preparation of a cathode. The electrochemical properties of the cathode were investigated and the effects of the addition of $TiO_2$ or ZnO were discussed. The first discharge capacity decreased as the quantity of the added $TiO_2$ or ZnO increased. It is probably due to the decrease in the area of reaction interface according to the increase in the amount of the added oxide. When 2wt.% and 5wt.% of oxides are added, the discharge capacity increased as the number of cycles increased. It is considered that this results from the increase in the area of reaction interface because the oxide is detached from the $LiNiO_2$ with the increase in the number of cycles. The 1wt.% $TiO_2$ or ZnO-added $LiNiO_2$ had a larger first charge capacity than $LiNiO_2$. This is considered to result from the deintercalation of Li ions in the Ni sites along with the Li ions in the Li sites.