• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2016

In this study, we report the fabrication of functional complex fibers, which have been studied widely globally for numerous applications. Here, we fabricated conductive complex fibers with antibacterial properties by coating metal ions on the surface of plastic (polypropylene) fibers using the electroless and electrochemical deposition. First, we polished the polypropylene melt-blown fiber surface and obtained an absorbing Pd seed layer on its surface. Subsequently, we substituted the Pd with Cu. Bis-3-sulfopropyl-disulfide disodium salt (SPS), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and ethylene thiourea (ETU) were used as the brightener, carrier, and leveler, respectively for the electroplating. We focused on most achieving the stable plating condition to remove dendrites, which are normally during electroplating metals so that smooth layer is formed on the fiber surface. The higher the amount of SPS, the higher was the extent of irregular plate-like growth. Many irregularities in the form of round spheres were observed with increase in the amount of PEG and ETU. Hence, when the additives were used separately, a uniform coating could not be obtained. A stable coating was obtained when the three additives were combined and a uniform 5-9 μm thick copper layer with a stable morphology could be obtained around the fiber. We believe that our results can be applied widely to obtain conductive fibers with antibacterial properties and are useful in aiding research on conductive lightweight composite fibers for application in information technology and robotics.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.401-412
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• 2013

The paper is to study on the simulation of the micro/macroscale thermo-electrochemical model of a single cell of anode-supported SOFC with direct internal reforming. The coupled heat and mass transport, electrochemical and reforming reactions, and fluid flow were simultaneously simulated based on mass, energy, charge conservation. The micro/macroscale model first calculates the detailed electrochemical and direct internal reforming processes in porous electrodes based on the comprehensive microscale model and then solve the macroscale processes such as heat and mass transport, and fluid flow in SOFCs with assumption of fully-developed flow in gas channel. The simulation results evaluate the overall performance by analyzing distributions of mole fraction, current density, temperature and microstructural design in co/counter flow configurations.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2010

The electrodes comprising nano-sized $LiFePO_4$, carbon black and binder are prepared with two different Al current collectors. One is the generally used normal Al foil and the other is the chemically etched Al foil. Surface characteristics of each Al foil and electrochemical performance of the cathodes using each foil are investigated. The electrode from the etched Al foil exhibits better physical and electrochemical properties as compared to those of the normal Al foil because the etched Al foil has rough surface with sub-micron pores which improve the adhesion between the electrode materials and the substrate. The electrode on the etched Al foil has such a strong peel strength that the impedance is smaller than that of normal one. Indeed the $LiFePO_4$ electrode from the etched Al foil exhibits a better rate capability and remains intact even after storage for 1 week at the charged state at the elevated temperature $60^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.152-156
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• 2011

A hybrid supercapacitor is fabricated using a composite material from $LiMn_2O_4$ (LMO) and activated carbon (AC) as the positive electrode and AC as the negative electrode to form the (LMO + AC)/AC system. Volume ratio (positive : negative) of electrodes is controlled to investigate of the power and energy balance. The (LMO + AC)/AC system shows better performances than the LMO/AC system. Especially, electrochemical impedance spectra, rate charge.discharge and cycle performance testing show that the (LMO + AC)/AC system have an outstanding electrochemical performance at volume ratios of (LMO + AC)/AC = 1 : 1.7 and 1 : 2. Electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) capacitance between AC of the positive electrode and AC of the negative electrode improves power density without loss of capacitance. Stable capacitance is achieved by lowering the positive electrode resistance and balancing the energy and power densities between the positive and negative electrodes by the addition of AC to the positive electrode at high current density.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.547-552
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• 2019

Electrochemical properties of $LiMn_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}PO_4$ cathode were investigated with gel polymer electrolyte (GPE). To access fast and efficient transport of ions and electrons during the charge/discharge process, a pure and well-crystallized $LiMn_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}PO_4$ cathode material was directly synthesized via spray-pyrolysis method. For high operation voltage, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based gel polymer electrolyte was then prepared by electrospinning process. The gel polymer electrolyte showed high ionic conductivity of $2.9{\times}10^{-3}S\;cm^{-1}$ at $25^{\circ}C$ and good electrochemical stability. $Li/GEP/LiMn_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}PO_4$ cell delivered a discharge capacity of $159mAh\;g^{-1}$ at 0.1 C rate that was close to the theoretical value ($170mAh\;g^{-1}$). The cell allows stable cycle performance (99.3% capacity retention) with discharge capacity of $133.5mAh\;g^{-1}$ for over 300 cycles at 1 C rate and exhibits high rate-capability. PAN-based gel polymer is a suitable electrolyte for application in $LiMn_{0.8}Fe_{0.2}PO_4/Li$ batteries with perspective in high energy density and safety.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.90-99
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• 2022

Owing to the rising concern of global warming, lithium-ion batteries have gained immense attention over the past few years for the development of highly efficient electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems. In this study, alpha-phase VOPO₄·2H₂O with nanosheet morphology was prepared via a facile hydrothermal method for application in high-performance lithium-ion batteries. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses indicated that the obtained sample had an alpha-2 (αII) phase, and the nanosheet morphology of the sample was confirmed using SEM. The lithium-ion battery with VOPO₄·2H₂O as the anode exhibited excellent long-term cycle life and a high capacity of 256.7 mAh g^-1 at room temperature. Prelithiation effectively improved the specific capacity of pristine VOPO₄·2H₂O. The underlying electrochemical mechanisms were investigated by carrying out AC impedance, rate capability, and other instrumental analyses.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

Owing to the rapid climate change, a high-performance energy storage system (ESS) for efficient energy consumption has been receiving considerable attention. ESS, such as capacitors, usually has issues with the ion diffusion of electrode materials, resulting in a decrease in their capacitance. Notably, appropriate pore diameter and large specific surface area (SSA) may result in an effective ion diffusion. Therefore, graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotube (graphene@MWCNT) hybrid nanomaterials, with covalent bonds between the graphene and MWCNT, were prepared via an edge-chemistry reaction. The properties of these materials, such as high porosity, large SSA, and high electroconductivity, make them suitable to be used as electrode materials for capacitors. The optimal ratio of graphene to MWCNT can affect the electrochemical performance of the electrode material based on its physical and electrochemical properties. The supercapacitor using optimal graphene-based hybrid electrode material exhibited highest specific capacitance value as 158 F/g and excellent cycle stability.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2011

It is, in general, believed that during the activation process, the proton conductivity increases due to wetting effect and the electrochemical resistance reduction, resulting in an increase in the fuel cell performance with time. However, until now, very scant information is available on the understanding of activation processes. In this study, dominant variables that effect on the performance increase of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) during the activation process were investigated. Wetting, pore restructuring and active metal utilization were analyzed systematically. Unexpectedly, the changes for both ohmic and reaction resistance characterized by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) after initial wetting process were much smaller when considering the degree of cell performance increases. However, the EIS spectra represents that the pore opening of electrode turns into gas transportable structure more easily. The increase in the performance with activation cycles was also investigated in a view of active metals. Though the particle size was grown, the number of effective active sites might be exposed more. The impurity removal and catalytic activity enhancement measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) could be a strong evident. The results and analysis revealed that, not merely wetting of membrane but also restructuring of electrodeand catalytic activity increase are important factors for the fast and efficient activation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2019

The effect of various lithium sources such as LiCl, LiOH, and Li-metal on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of granulated $SiO_x$ powders were investigated. Various lithium sources were metallurgically added for a passive pre-lithiation of $SiO_x$ to improve its low initial coulombic efficiency. In spite of using the same amount of Li in various sources, as well as the same process conditions, different lithium silicates were obtained. Moreover, irreversible phases were formed without reduction of $SiO_x$, which might be from additional oxygen incorporation during the process. Accordingly, there were no noticeable electrochemical enhancements. Nevertheless, the $Li_4SiO_4$ phase changes the initial electrochemical reaction, and consequently the relationship between the microstructure and electrochemical properties of metallurgically pre-lithiated $SiO_x$ could provide a guideline for the optimization of the performance of lithium ion batteries.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2020

The electrochemical preparation and spectroscopic characterisation of iridium-antimony (Ir-Sb) species is important owing to their potential applications as nanostructure materials. Nanostructures, i.e. nanoflower and nanodisk, of Ir-Sb were electrodeposited on conductive substrates using a practical electrochemical method based on the simultaneous underpotential deposition (UPD) of Ir and Sb from the IrCl₃ and Sb₂O₃ at a constant potential. Electrochemical UPD mechanism of Ir-Sb was studied using cyclic voltammetry and potential-controlled electrochemical deposition techniques. Herein, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the morphological and structural properties of the electrochemically-synthesised Ir-Sb nanostructures.