Two different types of graphite, such as flake graphite (FG) and spherical graphite (SG), were used as anode materials for a lithium-ion secondary battery in order to investigate their electrochemical performance. The FG particles were prepared by pulverizing natural graphite with a planetary mill. The SG particles were treated by immersing them in acid solutions or mixing them with various carbon additives. With a longer milling time, the particle size of the FG decreased. Since smaller particles allow more exposure of the edge planes toward the electrolyte, it could be possible for the FG anodes with longer milling time to deliver high reversible capacity; however, their initial efficiency was found to have decreased. The initial efficiency of SG anodes with acid treatments was about 90%, showing an over 20% higher value than that of FG anodes. With acid treatment, the discharge rate capability and the initial efficiency improved slightly. The electrochemical properties of the SG anodes improved slightly with carbon additives such as acetylene black (AB), Super P, Ketjen black, and carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, the cyclability was much improved due to the effect of the conductive bridge made by carbon additives such as AB and Super P.

Seaweeds are received high attending as one of new and renewable energy sources. In this study, the effects of organic loading rate (OLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on anaerobic digestion with Laminaria japonica were investigated using labrotory-scale semi-continuous stirred type reactors. The results demonstrated that anaerobic digestion of Laminaria japonica performed stably with OLRs in the range of 1.00 ~ 1.50 g-VS/L⋅d and HRTs in the range of 27 ~ 40 days. The maximum methane production obtained was 251.33 mL-CH4/L⋅d, which was achieved for an OLR of 1.50 g-VS/L⋅d and a HRT of 27 days. However, an OLR of 1.75 g-VS/L⋅d and a HRT of 23 days brought about a decrease in the pH and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) accumulation, causing the destabilization of the reactor and process failure. The reactors operated at a constant influent substrate concentration, i.e., 40 g-VS/L, thus OLR and HRT could not be treated separately and independently. According to the limited results of this study, it seems that the suitable OLR of anaerobic digestion of Laminaria japonica was lower than 1.50 g-VS/L⋅d and suitable HRT was higher than 27 days.