최근 전기차 및 전력저장 시스템과 같은 대형 전지 시장의 성장으로 인해 리튬 이온 배터리에 대한 수요가 급증하 고 있다. 이에 따라 폐전지의 발생이 빠르게 증가할 것 으로 예상되며, 이에 대한 처리가 사회적 문제가 될 것 으로 예상된다. 폐전지 처리의 가장 효과적인 방법은 폐전지의 소재를 재활용하는 방법이다. 이 중 고가의 금속 물질로서, 재활용 시 경제성이 가장 높은 양극 소재 재활용 연구가 가장 활발히 이뤄지고 있다. 하지만 폐전지로부터 회수된 블 랙 파우더에는 도전재 및 바인더가 포함되어 있는데 양극 소재를 재활용하기 위해서는 이를 제거하는 공정이 필요하 다. 본 연구에서는 폐전지에서 추출된 폐양극 소재의 재활용을 위한 소재 전처리 연구를 제시한다. 열처리 및 화학 처리의 두 가지 전처리 공정을 사용하여 불순물을 제거하였고, 이에 따른 제거 정도를 SEM 분석을 통해 확인하였고, 불순물의 정량 분석을 TGA, EA 분석을 통해 확인하였으며, 전기화학 성능을 분석하였다.

Highly safe lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are required for large-scale applications such as electrical vehicles and energy storage systems. A highly stable cathode is essential for the development of safe LIBs. LiFePO4 is one of the most stable cathodes because of its stable structure and strong bonding between P and O. However, it has a lower energy density than lithium transition metal oxides. To investigate the high energy density of phosphate materials, vanadium phosphates were investigated. Vanadium enables multiple redox reactions as well as high redox potentials. LiVPO4O has two redox reactions (V5+/V4+/V3+) but low electrochemical activity. In this study, LiVPO4O is doped with fluorine to improve its electrochemical activity and increase its operational redox potential. With increasing fluorine content in LiVPO4O1-xFx, the local vanadium structure changed as the vanadium oxidation state changed. In addition, the operating potential increased with increasing fluorine content. Thus, it was confirmed that fluorine doping leads to a strong inductive effect and high operating voltage, which helps improve the energy density of the cathode materials.

The development of functional carbon materials using waste biomass as raw materials is one of the research hotspots of lithium-sulfur batteries in recent years. In this work, used a natural high-quality carbon source—coffee grounds, which contain more than 58% carbon and less than 1% ash. Honeycomb-like S and N dual-doped graded porous carbon (SNHPC) was successfully prepared by hydrothermal carbonization and chemical activation, and the amount of thiourea used in the activation process was investigated. The prepared SNHPC showed excellent electrochemical energy storage characteristics. For example, SNHPC-2 has a large pore volume (1.85 cm3·g− 1), a high mesoporous ratio (36.76%), and a synergistic effect (S, N interaction). As the cathode material of lithium-sulfur batteries, SNHPC-2/S (sulfur content is 71.61%) has the highest specific capacity. Its initial discharge-specific capacity at 0.2 C is 1106.7 mAh·g−1, and its discharge-specific capacity after 200 cycles is still as high as 636.5 mAh·g−1.

Rechargeable zinc-based batteries (RZBs) with the advantages of high safety, low cost, abundant resources and environmental friendliness, are considered as advanced secondary battery systems that can be applied to large-scale energy storage. As an important cathode material for RZBs, NASICON-type Na3V2( PO4)3 (NVP) possesses three-dimensional and large-scale ion channels that facilitate the rapid diffusion of Zn2+, and has a higher average operating voltage compared with other vanadiumbased compounds, thus exhibiting the possibility of realizing RZBs with high energy density. However, NVP still has some problems, such as poor electronic conductivity and spontaneous dissolution in aqueous solution. The sluggish kinetics of Zn2+ (de)intercalation in NVP and dendritic growth on the Zn anode also contribute to the poor rate performance and short cycle life of the batteries. In this review, optimization strategies for the electrochemical performance of RZBs with NVP as cathode are systematically elaborated, including modification of NVP cathode and optimization of electrolyte. Several mainstream energy storage mechanisms and analysis methods in this battery system are sorted out and summarized. On this basis, the development direction of NVP–RZB system is further prospected.

전고체 전지는 전기 자동차의 안정성을 향상시키기 위해 기존의 리튬 이온 전지를 대체할 주요 후보로 간주되고 있 습니다. 그러나 전고체 전지에 사용되는 황화물계 고체 전해질은 산화 환원 안정성이 부족하며 양극복합전극과 표면 에서 부반응을 이르켜 문제를 야기시킵니다. 때문에 양극 표면 코팅법이 제안되었고 이는 충방전 사이클 안정성 및 속도 특성의 개선에 유용한 효과를 나타낼 수 있습니다. 본 논문에서는 결정학적 분석을 통하여 신규 Li-Zr-O 조성 탐색을 하였고, 다양한 양극 소재 코팅소재 후보군 중 리튬 이온 전도체인 Li6Zr2O7 구조가 매우 유망하다는 연구 결 과를 확인했습니다. 본 논문은 기존에 사용되는 LiNbO3, Li4Ti5O12가 아닌 새로운 다양한 구조 및 조성의 양극 코팅 소 재개발에 대한 필요성 및 가능성을 시사합니다.

Depending on the type of waste, DC plasma torch uses a transfer type operation for conductive waste and a non-transfer type operation for non-conductive waste. The transfer mode plasma torch can secure high throughput because the arc directly contacts the object and has high thermal efficiency. However, since the non-transfer mode does not have a higher thermal efficiency than the transfer mode, higher output is required to secure high throughput. A method of increasing the output of the plasma torch is increasing the current or extending the length of the plasma arc. However, the method of increasing the current affects the life of the electrode, and there is a limit to extending the arc length in the positive polarity plasma torch. Therefore, it is effective to design the plasma torch with reverse polarity to secure life and extend the arc length. In the reverse polarity plasma torch, the front electrode serves as the cathode, and the cathode point is not easy to control compared to the anode point, which may cause abnormal arcing and damage the plasma torch. This paper was conducted to investigate the conditions for securing the safety of these non-transferable reverse polarity plasma torch. The plasma torch is designed to have an output of 100 kW or less and to use the detachable nozzle to control the cathode point. The test showed that the shape of the nozzle prevented the cathode point moving outside of plasma torch and the excessive extension of the arc. Thanks to this, it was confirmed that plasma could be stably formed and abnormal arcing could also be prevented.

본 연구는 코팅 방법을 활용한 단결정 양극 소재 연구로서 Ni-rich계 다결정 양극 소재로 부터 단결정 양극 소재를 합 성하여 사이클 구동 시 양극 소재의 안정성을 향상시키고자 한다. 양극 소재에 LixCoO2와 LixSnO3 를 각각 코팅하여 이차입자 내부 혹은 외부에 코팅층이 형성된 양극 소재를 합성한 후 이를 소결하여 단결정 형성에 대한 영향을 비교 하였다. 입자 외부에 LixSnO3가 코팅되어 열처리 된 Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2(NCM811)의 경우 코팅 처리 없이 열처리된 양극 소재 보다 개선된 수명특성을 보였으나, 단결정화가 이뤄지지 않았다. 입자 내부에 LixCoO2 코팅층이 형성된 NCM811 을 열처리 한 결과 이차입자 내부에 형성된 Co 코팅층이 결정화되어 50회 사이클 후 기준 단결정 양극 소재의 방전용 량인 117.34 mAh·g-1 대비 129.11 mAh·g-1의 높은 방전용량을 나타내었고, 형상제어를 통해 이성적인 단결정화가 이뤄 졌다. 본 연구는 다결정체인 Ni-rich 양극소재의 단결정화에 대한 유요한 통찰력을 제공할 것으로 예상한다.

Here, we have demonstrated the successful exfoliation of graphite into a layered material with scotch tape-like exfoliation. Sulfur acts as an exfoliating agent and exfoliates the loosely bounded graphite stacks. The shear force by ball milling provides the force required to overcome the van der Waals force between the layers. The MnO2 nanorods were synthesized using a KMnO4 precursor in a hydrothermal arrangement, and due to their intrinsic chemisorption capability, they were doped for polysulfide trapping. With an initial capacity of 1150 mAh/g achieved by the MnO2 nanorod-doped exfoliate-graphite/sulfur composite material, the material has displayed its application in lithium–sulfur batteries, but its use is not limited; it can be a low-cost eco-friendly solution to various energy storage systems with extensive structural qualities.

The capacity of high nickel Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y)O2 (NCM, x ≥ 0.8) cathodes is known to rapidly decline, a serious problem that needs to be solved in a timely manner. It was reported that cathode materials with the {010} plane exposed toward the outside, i.e., a radial structure, can provide facile Li+ diffusion paths and stress buffer during repeated cycles. In addition, cathodes with a core-shell composition gradient are of great interest. For example, a stable surface structure can be achieved using relatively low nickel content on the surface. In this study, precursors of the high-nickel NCM were synthesized by coprecipitation in ambient atmosphere. Then, a transition metal solution for coprecipitation was replaced with a low nickel content and the coprecipitation reaction proceeded for the desired time. The electrochemical analysis of the core-shell cathode showed a capacity retention of 94 % after 100 cycles, compared to the initial discharge capacity of 184.74 mA h/g. The rate capability test also confirmed that the core-shell cathode had enhanced kinetics during charging and discharging at 1 A/g.

Extensive research is being carried out on Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y)O2 (NCM) due to the growing demand for electric vehicles and reduced cost. In particular, Ni-rich Li(NixCoyMn1-x-y-zAlz)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.

Lithium-ion battery (LiB) is one of the special issues on nowadays and diverse researches to develop LiB with better performances have been carried out so far, especially, regarding improved properties of each component such as cathode, anode, separator and electrolyte. However, there are limited information on ‘processing’ to prepare each component, and especially fabrication of cathode is strongly dependent on thinky mixer to realize homogeneous dispersion of active materials and conductors in binders. Herein, we report on preparation of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) based cathode materials with different carbon conductors (CNT and carbon black) using homogenizer and three-roll milling method. These processes are turned out perfect alternative to prepare cathode electrode. LiB cells were assembled using the dispersed electrode slurry and the performance of a cell was electrochemically stable, even in the case of a CNT conductor, which is normally difficult to make perfect dispersion because of its strong Van der Waals attraction between the tubes and π–π interactions.

Ni-rich계 양극 소재는 낮은 가격과 높은 용량으로 인해 고용량 달성을 위한 상용화 소재로 주목받고 있지만, 이 소재의 경 우 전기화학적 불안정성으로 인한 한계를 가진다. 그래서 다양한 표면 코팅 방법을 통해 성능향상을 이루고 있지만, 성능향상이 소 재와 코팅 방법때문인지 또는 코팅 범위가 넓어진 것 때문인지는 모호하게 남아 있다. 본 연구에서는 전이금속으로 양극 활물질을 코팅할 때 전구체 코팅 범위에 따른 리튬이온배터리 전기화학 성능평가를 분석하였다. 상업용 LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 양극 소재 표면을 에탄올 용액에 용해된 리튬-코발트와 리튬-주석 아세테이트 전구체를 코팅하였고, 교반속도를 다르게 하여 (200 rpm 및 600 rpm) 전구체 코팅 범위를 다르게 하였다. 리튬-코발트 아세테이트 전구체의 경우 교반속도가 증가할수록 코팅 범위가 증가하였지만, 리튬 -주석 아세테이트 전구체의 경우 교반속도가 증가할수록 코팅 범위가 감소하였다. 하지만 원소의 종류에 관계없이 코팅 범위가 넓 은 경우에 상대적으로 우수한 전기화학적 성능을 나타내었다. 코팅된 양극 활물질의 물리적 특성은 SEM 및 XRD를 이용하여 분석하 였으며, 전기화학적 성능은 초기 충·방전 용량, 사이클 안정성 및 율속특성 테스트를 통해 조사하였다.

논문에서 리튬이온전지용 양극 소재의 개발 동향과 함께 앞으로 필요한 양극 소재의 연구 방향을 제시한다. 현재 리튬이온 전지는 지구 환경 개선을 위한 친환경 에너지로 주목받고 있으며, 전기차와 에너지저장 시스템 등에서의 다양한 활용으로 고용량 및 고안정성 소재 개발에 초점을 맞추어 연구가 진행되고 있다. 특히, 리튬이온전지 양극 소재의 경우 전지의 가격 및 성능을 결정하기 때문에 활발한 연구가 이루어지며, 그중 높은 이론 용량을 가지는 Ni-rich 계 layered 구조의 양극 소재에 대한 연구가 집중되고 있다. 그러나, 고용량 특성을 달성하기 위한 Ni-rich 계 양극 소재는 높은 Ni 조성에 의해 비용량이 증가함에 따라 전기화학적 불안정성 또한 증가하는 문제를 가지기 때문에 활용에 한계를 가진다. 이를 해결하기 위한 방법으로 본 논문에서는 양극 소재의 표면 개질 방법 과 원소치환 방법에 대해 언급하며, 이에 진일보하여 리튬이온전지의 가격 경쟁력을 확보하기 위한 양극 소재의 연구 방향을 제안한다.

In this study, soybean oil, which is used in a large variety of processed foods, is used as a carbon source. Soybean oil is successfully coated onto the surface of LiNi1/ 3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM) by a simple method. The physical and electrochemical properties of NCM/C hybrid materials are determined. As a result, a 5 nm thickness carbon coating layer is formed on the surface of the NCM, resulting in improved capability and cyclic performance in the battery. The NCM/C battery shows an initial discharge capacity of 159 mAh g−1 and 95% capacity retention after 100 cycles (a discharge capacity of 120 mAh g−1 and 94% retention are observed after 100 cycles for the NCM cathode).

Due to the serious air pollution problem, interest in eco-friendly vehicles is increasing. Solving the problem of pollution will necessitate the securing of high energy storage technology for batteries, the driving force of eco-friendly vehicles. The reason for the continuing interest in the transition metal oxide LiMO2 as a cathode material with a layered structure is that lithium ions reveal high mobility in two-dimensional space. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effective intercalation and deintercalation pathways of Li+, which affect battery capacity, to understand the internal structure of the cathode particle and its effect on the electrochemical performance. In this study, for the cathode material, high nickel Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1(OH)2 precursor is synthesized by controlling the ammonia concentration. Thereafter, the shape of the primary particles of the precursor is investigated through SEM analysis; X-ray diffraction analysis is also performed. The electrochemical properties of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 are evaluated after heat treatment.

We reported the synthesis of dendrite-like carbon nanotube-confined polymeric sulfur composite by modifying the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with trithiocyanuric acid (TTCA) and then copolymerizing with sulfur. DSC results show the successfully formation of robust chemical bonds between sulfur and TTCA modified CNTs, which effectively avoid the dissolution of polysulfide when used as cathodes for lithium–sulfur batteries. The composite with a high sulfur content of 78 wt% exhibits an initial charge capacity of 698 mAh g− 1 and the residual capacity of 553 mAh g− 1 after 1000 cycles at a rate of 1 C.

Salacca peel-based porous carbon (SPPC) with high surface area (1945 m2 g−1) and large specific pore volume (1.68 cm3 g−1) was prepared by pre-carbonization and K2CO3 activation method. Based on the TGA results, it can be estimated that up to 70 wt% of sulfur-active materials could be infiltrated into the pores of SPPC to form SPPC/S composite cathode for LiS battery. The porous structure of SPPC could act as a buffer layer against volume expansion and minimize the shuttle effect due to the penetration of intermediate polysulfides during cycle tests. Optimization on sulfur loading (50, 60 and 70 wt%) in SPPCC/S composite was also investigated. It was found that the SPPC/S composites with 60 wt% of sulfur loading had the best electrochemical performances. With 60 wt% of sulfur loading, SPPC/S composite electrodes showed excellent electrochemical performances in terms of high initial specific discharge capacity of 1006 mAh g− 1 at 0.5 C and capacity retention of 71% until the 100th cycle. For both cases of low and high sulfur loading, they caused much worse electrochemical performances. Based on the experimental results, it can be concluded that porous carbons derived from the salacca peel were promising materials for sulfur loading in LiS battery.

Spherical Li3V2(PO4)3 (LVP) and carbon-coated LVP with a monoclinic phase for the cathode materials are synthesized by a hydrothermal method using N2H4 as the reducing agent and saccharose as the carbon source. The results show that single phase monoclinic LVP without impurity phases such as LiV(P2O7), Li(VO)(PO4) and Li3(PO4) can be obtained after calcination at 800 oC for 4 h. SEM and TEM images show that the particle sizes are 0.5~2 μm and the thickness of the amorphous carbon layer is approximately 3~4 nm. CV curves for the test cell are recorded in the potential ranges of 3.0~4.3 V and 3.0~4.8 V at a scan rate of 0.01 mV s–1 and at room temperature. At potentials between 3.0 and 4.8 V, the third Li+ ions from the carbon-coated LVP can be completely extracted, at voltages close to 4.51 V. The carbon-coated LVP exhibits an initial specific discharge capacity of 118 mAh g–1 in the voltage region of 3.0 to 4.3 V at a current rate of 0.2 C. The results indicate that the reducing agent and carbon source can affect the crystal structure and electrochemical properties of the cathode materials.

A new deformation micromechanism operating in the carbon cathode for aluminum electrolysis termed a ripplocation has been proposed in this paper. The creep deformation of semi-graphitic cathode was measured using a modified Rapoport equipment at 965 °C with cryolite ratio = 4.0. The characteristic of the defect was obtained by analyzing TEM photograph of the carbon cathode with different testing times. The results indicated that basal dislocations, bulk ripplocations, kink bands and delamination cracks appeared in succession in the first two stages of the creep deformation. Ripplocations in the carbon cathode make a layer of carbon atoms to glide relative to each other without damaging the in-plane bonds. Ripplocations could also attract each other and result in kink boundaries. The creep strain of the carbon cathode could be accommodated by kink band and delamination cracks during aluminum electrolysis. A more comprehensive understanding of their micromechanics behaviors is very important and could deeply influence our current knowledge of the deformation mechanism of the carbon cathode for aluminum electrolysis.

High performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have attracted considerable attention as essential energy sources for high-technology electrical devices such as electrical vehicles, unmanned drones, uninterruptible power supply, and artificial intelligence robots because of their high energy density (150-250 Wh/kg), long lifetime (> 500 cycles), low toxicity, and low memory effects. Of the high-performance LIB components, cathode materials have a significant effect on the capacity, lifetime, energy density, power density, and operating conditions of high-performance LIBs. This is because cathode materials have limitations with respect to a lower specific capacity and cycling stability as compared to anode materials. In addition, cathode materials present difficulties when used with LIBs in electric vehicles because of their poor rate performance. Therefore, this study summarizes the structural and electrochemical properties of cathode materials for LIBs used in electric vehicles. In addition, we consider unique strategies to improve their structural and electrochemical properties.