Papers by Author: Seon Hye Kim

Abstract: Al doped Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-xAlx)O2 (x=0.005, 0.01, 0.05) and Li(Ni1/3-x/2Co1/3Mn1/3-x/2Alx)O2 (x=0.01, 0.05) cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were synthesized using an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and heat treatment. The substitution with Al reduced the content of Mn3+, promoted grain growth, and broadened the particle size distribution of synthesized powders. The initial discharge capacity of cells made with 0.5 mol% Al doped Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3-0.005Al0.005)O2 powder was as high as that of the undoped (~180 mAhg-1, 3.0
4.5 V), and showed an excellent cycle stability. The improvement of the cycle stability was considered to be due to the decrease of Mn3+ in Li(Co1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3-xAlx)O2 by Al doping.

Abstract: The ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method and proper heat treatments were applied in order to synthesize La0.8Sr0.2CrO3 (LSC) which is one of promising materials for separator in soild oxide fuel cell in this study. LSC powders that were sprayed at 800oC, heat-treated at 900oC for 5 hrs, ball-milled and finally heat-treated again at 1200oC for 20 hrs showed the average diameter of 0.3 *m and narrow size distribution to find particles above 0.5 *m hardly. In addition, the synthesizing temperature of LSC powders in ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method was 100
lower than conventional ball milling and drying method. Therefore the proper combination of heat treatment and milling process after spray pyrolysis was found to be very critical in synthesizing fine and uniform LSC powders. Finally, the sintering properties of these LSC powders were analyzed and compared with those of conventional ones.

Abstract: The surface of Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 was modified with Al2O3 using aqueous alumina sol and the electrochemical properties of the coated oxide were measured and compared with both uncoated and Al-doped one. The alumina coated powder showed 185 mAh/g at first cycle, and 139 mAh/g after 50 cycles in the voltage range of 3.0~4.6 V at 1C rate. The initial discharge capacity of the coated powder was slightly lower than that of the alumina doped one, but the cycle stability of the coated was better than that of the doped.

Abstract: Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) powders for lithium ion batteries were synthesized from two separate raw material pairs, LiOH/MnO and LiOH/MnO2. The prepared powders and their electrochemical properties were investigated. Powders calcined at 780°C were composed of a single-phase spinel structure but those treated at 850°C showed a higher intensity ratio of I400 to I311, a slightly larger lattice parameter, and an increased discharge capacity by 10% under 3.0~4.3V voltage range. The XPS study on the oxidation states of manganese repealed that powders made from LiOH/MnO had less Mn3+ ion and gave better battery performances than those from LiOH/MnO2.

Abstract: Li(Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3)O2 powders were synthesized by using an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method, and then heat-treated at 900 or 1000°C for 20 h. The morphology of the as-synthesized powder was spherical. The post heat-treatment changed the particle size and morphology of the synthesized powders. Structural characteristics of the heat-treated powders were analyzed using XRD and SEM, and their electrochemical properties were compared. Higher first discharge capacity was obtained from the powder heat-treated at 1000°C, but its rough and rugged surface might cause a rapid decrease of the capacity retention.