In this study, lanthanum boron silicate glasses were prepared with a composition of x Li2O-(60-x)B2O3-5CaO- 5BaO-7ZnO-10SiO2-10La2O3-3Y2O3 where x = 1,3,5,7, and 9 mol%. Each composition was melted in a platinum crucible under atmospheric conditions at 1,400 °C for 2 h. Clear glasses with a transmittance exceeding 85 % were fabricated. Their optical, thermal, and physical properties, such as refractive index, Abbe number, density, glass transition (Tg) and Knoop hardness were studied. The results demonstrated that refractive index was between 1.6859 and 1.6953 at 589.3 nm. The Abbe number was calculated using an equation for 589.3 nm (nd), 656.3 nm (nf) and 486.1 nm (nc) and was observed to be in the range from 57.5 to 62.6. As the Li2O content increased, the glass transition temperature of the optical glass decreased from 608 °C to 564 °C. If glass mold pressing is performed using a material with a low transition temperature and high mechanical strength, then the optical glasses developed in this study can be completely commercialized.

As the size of market for electric vehicles and energy storage systems grows, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is increasing. Currently, commercial LIBs are fabricated with liquid electrolytes, which have some safety issues such as low chemical stability, which can cause ignition of fire. As a substitute for liquid electrolytes, solid electrolytes are now being extensively studied. However, solid electrolytes have disadvantages of low ionic conductivity and high resistance at interface between electrode and electrolyte. In this study, Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), one of the best ion conducting materials among oxide based solid electrolytes, is fabricated through RF-sputtering and various electrochemical properties are analyzed. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of LLZO are found to significantly improve with co-sputtered Li2O. An all-solid thin film battery is fabricated by introducing a thin film solid electrolyte and an Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) cathode; resulting electrochemical properties are also analyzed. The LLZO/Li2O (60W) sample shows a very good performance in ionic conductivity of 7.3  108 S/cm, with improvement in c-rate and stable cycle performance.

Piezoelectric ceramic specimens with the Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.65Ti0.35O3 (PMN-PT) composition are prepared by the solid state reaction method known as the “columbite precursor” method. Moreover, the effects of the Li2O-Bi2O3 additive on the microstructure, crystal structure, and piezoelectric properties of sintered PMN-PT ceramic samples are investigated. The addition of Li2O-Bi2O3 lowers the sintering temperature from 1,200oC to 950oC. Moreover, with the addition of >5 wt.% additive, the crystal structure changes from tetragonal to rhombohedral. Notably, the sample with 3 wt.% additive exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties (d33 = 596 pC/N and Kp = 57%) and a sintered density of 7.92 g/cm3 after sintering at 950oC. In addition, the sample exhibits a curie temperature of 138.6oC at 1 kHz. Finally, the compatibility of the sample with a Cu electrode is examined, because the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data indicate the absence of interdiffusion between Cu and the ceramic material.

FeS2 has been widely used for cathode materials in thermal battery because of its high stability and currentcapability at high operation temperature. Salts such as a LiCl-KCl were added as a binder for improving electrical per-formance and formability of FeS2 cathode powder. In this study, the effects of the addition of Li2O in LiCl-KCl binderon the formability of FeS2 powder compact were investigated. With the increasing amount of Li2O addition to LiCl-KClbinder salts, the strength of the pressed compacts increased considerably when the powder mixture were pre-heat-treatedabove 350oC. The heat-treatment resulted in promoting the coating coverage of FeS2 particles by the salts as Li2O wasadded. The observed coating as Li2O addition might be attributed to the enhanced wettability of the salt rather than itsreduced melting temperature. The high strength of compacts by the Li2O addition and pre-heat-treatment could improvethe formability of FeS2 raw materials.

A study on the corrosion behavior of Inconel alloys and Incoloy 800H in molten salt of LiCl-Li2O was investigated at 650˚C for 24-312 hours in an oxidation atmosphere. The order of the corrosion rate was Inconel 600< Inconel 601< Incoloy 800H< Inconel 690. Inconel 600 showed the best performance suggesting that the content of Fe, Cr and Ni are the important factor for corrosion resistance in hot molten salt oxidation conditions. The corrosion products of Inconel 600 and Inconel 601 were Cr2O3 and NiFe2O4, In case of Inconel 690, a single layer of Cr2O3 was formed in the early stage of corrosion and an outer layer of NiFe2O4 and inner layer of Cr2O3 were formed with an increase of corrosion time. In the case of Incoloy 800H, Cr2O3 and FeCr2O4 were observed. Most of the outer scale of the alloys was observed to be spalled from the results of the SEM analysis and the unspalled scale which adhered to the substrate was composed of three layers. The outer layer, the middle one, and the inner one were Fe, Cr, and Ni-rich, respectively. Inconel 600 showed localized corrosion behavior and Inconel 601, 690 and Incoloy 800H showed uniform corrosion behavior. Ni improves the corrosion resistance and too much Cr and/or Fe content deteriorates the corrosion resistance.

A Li2O-2SiO2 (LS2) glass was investigated as a lithium-ion conducting oxide glass, which is applicable to a fast ionic conductor even at low temperature due to its high mechanical strength and chemical stability. The Li2O-2SiO2 glass is likely to be broken into small pieces when quenched; thus, it is difficult to fabricate a specifically sized sample. The production of properly sized glass samples is necessary for device applications. In this study, we applied spark plasma sintering (SPS) to fabricate LS2 glass samples which have a particular size as well as high transparency. The sintered samples, 15mmφ×2mmT in size, (LS2-s) were produced by SPS between 480˚C and 500˚C at 45MPa for 3~5mim, after which the thermal and dielectric properties of the LS2-s samples were compared with those of quenched glass (LS2-q) samples. Thermal behavior, crystalline structure, and electrical conductivity of both samples were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and an impedance/gain-phase analyzer, respectively. The results showed that the LS2-s had an amorphous structure, like the LS2-q sample, and that both samples took on the lithium disilicate structure after the heat treatment at 800˚C. We observed similar dielectric peaks in both of the samples between room temperature and 700˚C. The DC activation energies of the LS2-q and LS2-s samples were 0.48±0.05eV and 0.66±0.04eV, while the AC activation energies were 0.48±0.05eV and 0.68±0.04eV, respectively.

Glass-ceramics were fabricated by heat-treatment of glass obtained by melting a coal bottom ash with Li2O addition. The main crystal grown in the glass-ceramics, containing 10 wt% Li2O, was β-spodumene solid solution, while in Li2O 20 wt% specimen was mullite, identified using XRD. The activation energy and Avrami constant for crystallization were calculated and showed that bulk crystallization behavior will be predominant, and this expectation agreed with the microstructural observations. The crystal phase grown in Li2O 10 wt% glass-ceramics had a dendrite-like shaped whereas the shape was flake-like in the 20 wt% case. The thermal expansion coefficient of the Li2O 10 wt% glass-ceramics was lower than that of the glass having the same composition, owing to the formation of a β-spodumene phase. For example, the thermal expansion coefficient of Li2O 10 wt% glass-ceramics was 20×10-7, which is enough for application in various heat-resistance fields. But above 20 wt% Li2O, the thermal coefficient expansion of glass-ceramics, on the contrary, was higher than that of the same composition glass, due to formation of mullite.

In this study, the additivity factors of compositions to density and glass transition point (Tg) in a xLi2O-(1-x)[(1-y)TeO2-yZnO] (0<x<20, 0<y<20) glass system were analyzed by using mixture design, and the change of ionic conductivity with density and Tg was discussed. As a method for predicting the relation between glass structure and ionic conductivity, density was measured by the Archimedes method. The glass transition point was analyzed to predict the relation between ionic conductivity and the bonding energy between alkali ions and non-bridge oxygen (NBO). The relation equations showing the additivity factor of each composition to the two properties are as follows: Density(g/cm3) = 2.441x1 ＋ 5.559x2 ＋ 4.863x3 Tg(˚C) = 319x1 ＋ 247x2 ＋ 609x3 － 1950x1x3 (x1 : fraction of Li2O, x2 : fraction of TeO2, x3 : fraction of ZnO) The density decreased as Li2O content increased. This was attributed to change of the TeO2 structure. From this structural result, the electric conductivity of the glass samples was predicted following the ionic conduction mechanism. Finally, it is expected that electric conductivity will increase as the activation energy for ion movement decreases.

Fe-Ni-Cr 합금의 용융염 부식거동을 650~850˚C 온도범위에서 조사하였다. 용융염 LiCl에서 Cr을 포함하지 않는 KSA(Kaeri Superalloy)-1 합금은 Fe의 내부산화가 발생하고, Cr을 포함한 KSA-4, Incoloy 800H와 KSA-5는 LiCrO2의 치밀한 보호막이 형성되었다. 혼합용융염 LiCl-LiO2O에서 KSA-1은 Fe의 내부산화, KSA-4는 Cr의 내부산화가 발생하였고, Cr 농도가 높은 Incoloy 800H와 KSA-5는 LiCrO2의 다공성 피 이 형성되었다. 혼합용융염 LiCl-Li2O 에서는 Cr 농도의 증가에 따라 부식속도가 증가하였으며, 부식속도는 시간의존선을 8%Cr 이하의 합금에서는 포물선법칙, 8%Cr 이상의 합금에서는 직선법칙을 나타내었다. 이러한 현상은 Li2O에 의한 보호성 산화물 Cr2O3의 염기성 용해기구로 설명할 수 있다.

(Zr(sub)0.8Sn(sub)0.2)TiO4세라믹스와 소결조제로서 (B2O3.Li2O)의 첨가에 따른 마이크로파 유전특성 및 미세구조에 미치는 영향에 대하여 연구하였다. 1.0 mol.% Sb2O(sub)5를 첨가하고 1300˚C에서 5시간 소결한 (Zr(sub)0.8Sn(sub)0.2)TiO4세라믹스의 경우 (B2O3.Li2O)첨가량 증가에 따라 치밀화 및 결정립 성장에 의해 유전상수와 Q.f값은 증가하여 첨가량이 0.35wt.%에서 최대값인 38과 59,000을 각각 나타내었으며, 0.50wt.% 이상 첨가한 경우에서는 제 2상의 생성으로 인하여 감소하였다. 1.0 mol% Sb2O(sub)5와 0.35wt.% (B2O3.Li2O)를 첨가한 (Zr(sub)0.8Sn(sub)0.2)TiO4세라믹스를 1250˚C와 1350˚C에서 5시간 소결한 경우에는 각각 미반응 TiO2의 존재와 과대입자성장에 의한 결정립내기공의 생성으로 인하여 마이크로파 유전특성은 저하되었다.

본 연구는 이온교환에 의한 Li2O-AI2O3 계 결정화유리의 강화에 관한 연구이다. 모유리의 이온교환 전후의 강도를 비교하였으며, 결정화유리의 결정화전후에 이온교환에 따르는 강도를 상호 비교하였다. 그 결과 모유리의 Na+이온교환에 따른 최대 강도값은 450˚C-3hr의 열처리 조건하에서 최고 6배(60Kg/mm2)의 강도값을 나타내었으며, 결정화후 이온교환에 따른 강도증가는 450˚C-1hr의 열처리 조건하에서 최고 10배의 강도증대효과를 보였다. 한편 과도한 이온교환 열처리조건하에서는 응력이완현상을 나타냄을 알 수 있었다.

Li2O-Al2O3-SiO3계 결정화유리의 저온합성을 위하여 출방원료로서 각 해당 금속 알콕시드를 사용하였다. 알코올을 용매로 충분히 첨가하고, drying control chemical additive로 dimethy1 formamide를 적당량 첨가한 혼합용용액을 과잉의 물로 충분히 가수분해시킨 습윤겔을 저온으로 건고하여 균열이 없는 건조된 monolith겔을 합성하였다. 건조겔로부터 750-950˚C로 10시간 이상 소결하여 저열팽창성을 나타내는 β-eucrypytite(β-quartz 고용체), Li2O· Al2O3· 3SiO2및 β-spodumene등의결정상을 석출시켰다.

The effect of Li2O addition on precipitation behavior of uranium in LiCl-KCl-UCl3 has been investigated in this study. 99.99% LiCl-KCl eutectic salt is mixed with 10wt% UCl3 chips at 550°C in the Pyrex tube in argon atmosphere glove box, with 10 ppm O2 and 1 ppm H2O. Then, Li2O chunks are added in mixed LiCl-KCl-UCl3 and the system has been cooled down to room temperature for 10 hours to form enough UO2 particles in the salt. The solid salt has been taken out from the glove box, and cut into three sections (top, middle and bottom) by low-speed saw for further microscopic analysis. Three pieces of solid salt are dissolved in deionized water at room temperature and the solution is filtered by a filter paper to collect non-dissolved particles. The filter paper with particles is baked in vacuum oven at 120°C for 6 hours to evaporate remaining moisture from the filter paper. Further analysis was performed for the powder remaining on the filter paper, and periphery of the powder (cake) on the filter paper. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) are adopted to analysis the characteristic of the particles. From SEM analysis, the powders are consisted of small particles which have 5 to 10 m diameter, and EDS analysis shows they are likely UO2 with 23 at. % of uranium and 77 at. % oxygen. Cake is also analyzed by SEM and EDS, and needle like structures are widely observed on the particle. The length of needle is distributed from 5 to 20 m, and it has 6 to 10 at. % of chlorine, which are not fully dissolved into deionized water at room temperature. From XRD analysis, the particles show the peak position of UO2, and the result is well matched with the SEM-EDS results. We are planning to add more Li2O in the system for fully reacting uranium in UCl3, and compare the results to find the effect of Li2O concentration on UO2 precipitation.

사용후핵연료 파이로프로세싱에서는 방사성 희토류 염화물(RECl3)을 함유한 LiCl-KCl 공융염폐기물이 발생되며, 핫셀시설에서 운영을 목적으로 단순한 형태의 공융염폐기물 처리공정을 개발하는 것이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는, LiCl-KCl 공융염폐기물 내 희토류 핵종 분리/고화공정의 단순화를 목적으로 Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2-B2O3계의 무기합성매질을 이용하여 LiCl-KCl 공융 염 내 희토류 핵종(Nd)을 분리한 후 분리생성물을 바로 고화하는 시험을 실시하였다. 공융염 내 희토류 염화물(NdCl3) 대비 0.67의 무게비에 해당하는 무기합성매질의 양으로도 Nd 핵종을 98wt% 이상 분리할 수 있었고, 이 때 얻은 희토류 핵종 포집생성물은 약 50wt% 수준의 희토류 산화물 함량을 보유하고 있었으며, 이 포집생성물을 화학적 내구성이 우수한 단일상의 균질한 유리고화체로 제조할 수 있었다. 이 결과들은 LiCl-KCl 공융염폐기물 내 희토류 핵종의 분리/고화공정을 단순화하기 위한 방안수립에 활용될 수 있을 것이다.