Seunghoon Nam

Preparation and Exceptional Lithium Anodic Performance of Porous Carbon-Coated ZnO Quantum Dots Derived from a Metal–Organic Framework

Hierarchically porous carbon-coated ZnO quantum dots (QDs) (~3.5 nm) were synthesized by a one-step controlled pyrolysis of the metal-organic framework IRMOF-1. We have demonstrated a scalable and facile synthesis of carbon-coated ZnO QDs without agglomeration by structural reorganization. This unique microstructure exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance (capacity, cyclability, and rate capability) when evaluated as an anode material for lithium ion batteries.

Optical and electronic properties of post-annealed ZnO:Al thin films

This study examined the optical and electronic properties of post-annealed Al-doped ZnO (ZnO:Al) thin films. The lowest resistivity was observed after annealing a sputter-deposited ZnO:Al film at 350 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed a ∼0.4 eV shift in the Fermi level when the carrier concentration was increased to 1.6×1020 cm−3 by Al doping and annealing. The optical band gap increased from 3.2 eV for insulating ZnO to 3.4 eV for conducting ZnO:Al, and was associated with conduction-band filling up to ∼0.4 eV in a renormalized band gap. Schematic band diagrams are shown for the ZnO and ZnO:Al films.

Ultrathin Zirconium Disulfide Nanodiscs

We present a colloidal route for the synthesis of ultrathin ZrS(2) (UT-ZrS(2)) nanodiscs that are ~1.6 nm thick and consist of approximately two unit cells of S-Zr-S. The lateral size of the discs can be tuned to 20, 35, or 60 nm while their thickness is kept constant. Under the appropriate conditions, these individual discs can self-assemble into face-to-face-stacked structures containing multiple discs. Because the S-Zr-S layers within individual discs are held together by weak van der Waals interactions, each UT-ZrS(2) disc provides spaces that can serve as host sites for intercalation. When we tested UT-ZrS(2) discs as anodic materials for Li(+) intercalation, they showed excellent nanoscale size effects, enhancing the discharge capacity by 230% and greatly improving the stability in comparison with bulk ZrS(2). The nanoscale size effect was especially prominent for their performance in fast charging/discharging cycles, where an 88% average recovery of reversible capacity was observed for UT-ZrS(2) discs with a lateral diameter of 20 nm. The nanoscale thickness and lateral size of UT-ZrS(2) discs are critical for fast and reliable intercalation cycling because those dimensions both increase the surface area and provide open edges that enhance the diffusion kinetics for guest molecules.

Effective wrapping of graphene on individual Li4Ti5O12 grains for high-rate Li-ion batteries

An effective way of synthesizing graphene-wrapped Li4Ti5O12 particles was developed by solid-state reaction between graphene oxide-wrapped P25 (TiO2) and Li2CO3. Compared to the previously reported graphene/Li4Ti5O12 composites, prior wrapping of TiO2 with subsequent chemical lithiation led to more effectively confined Li4Ti5O12. The Li4Ti5O12 tightly bound by graphene exhibited a remarkable specific capacity of 147 mA h g−1 at a rate of 10 C (1 C = 175 mA g−1) after 100 cycles. This rate capability is one of the highest values among reported Li4Ti5O12 with 150 ± 50 nm grains. The improved rate capability was attributed to the enhanced electronic conductivity of each Li4Ti5O12 grain via uniform graphene wrapping, with single-grain growth during annealing from the initial ∼25 nm TiO2 nanoparticles enclosed by outer graphene sheets. Graphene-eliminated Li4Ti5O12 by thermal decomposition was also directly compared to the graphene-coated sample, to clarify the role of graphene with nearly equivalent particle size/morphology distributions.

Photoluminescence enhancement in CdS nanoparticles by surface-plasmon resonance

To examine the influence of metal nanoparticles on the photoluminescence of semiconductors, colloidal mixtures of CdS and Au nanoparticles were prepared with different CdS/Au fractions. Compared to the cadmium-sulfide nanocrystals (quantum efficiency ≅ 7%), the CdS/Au mixtures showed enhanced luminescence properties (quantum efficiency ≅ 14%). The existence of an optimum ratio of metal to semiconductor nanoparticles for the photoluminescence intensity indicates that interactions between the metal and semiconductor nanoparticles induced by surface-plasmon resonance occur constructively at appropriate distances.

Nanoscale interface control for high-performance Li-ion batteries

AbstactLi-ion batteries have attracted great interest for the past decades, and now are one of the most important power sources for portable electronic devices, store electricity, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), etc. However, Li-ion-battery technologies still have several problems related to the electrochemical performance (cycle-life performance and power density) or safety of the active electrode materials. There have been numerous breakthrough challenges to overcome these problems by extensive research. Among the various methods to improve the battery’s electrochemical properties, nanoscale coating on active materials and control of the nanostructured morphology were proven as effective approaches over the last decade. In this review paper, enhanced electrochemical properties of the cathode and anode materials via nanoscale interface modification and the respective enhancing mechanisms will be discussed.

Solvent and Intermediate Phase as Boosters for the Perovskite Transformation and Solar Cell Performance.

High power conversion efficiency and device stabilization are two major challenges for CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells to be commercialized. Herein, we demonstrate a diffusion-engineered perovskite synthesis method using MAI/ethanol dipping, and compared it to the conventional synthesis method from MAI/iso-propanol. Diffusion of MAI/C2H5OH into the PbCl2 film was observed to be more favorable than that of MAI/C3H7OH. Facile perovskite conversion from ethanol and highly-crystalline MAPbI3 with minimized impurities boosted the efficiency from 5.86% to 9.51%. Additionally, we further identified the intermediates and thereby the reaction mechanisms of PbCl2 converting into MAPbI3. Through straightforward engineering to enhance the surface morphology as well as the crystallinity of the perovskite with even faster conversion, an initial power conversion efficiency of 11.23% was obtained, in addition to superior stability after 30 days under an ambient condition.

Reduced graphene oxide/carbon double-coated 3-D porous ZnO aggregates as high-performance Li-ion anode materials

The reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/carbon double-coated 3-D porous ZnO aggregates (RGO/C/ZnO) have been successfully synthesized as anode materials for Li-ion batteries with excellent cyclability and rate capability. The mesoporous ZnO aggregates prepared by a simple solvothermal method are sequentially modified through distinct carbon-based double coating. These novel architectures take unique advantages of mesopores acting as space to accommodate volume expansion during cycling, while the conformal carbon layer on each nanoparticle buffering volume changes, and conductive RGO sheets connect the aggregates to each other. Consequently, the RGO/C/ZnO exhibits superior electrochemical performance, including remarkably prolonged cycle life and excellent rate capability. Such improved performance of RGO/C/ZnO may be attributed to synergistic effects of both the 3-D porous nanostructures and RGO/C double coating.

Development of carbon-based cathodes for Li-air batteries: Present and future

Rechargeable lithium-air (Li-air) batteries are regarded as one of the most fascinating energy storage devices for use in the future electric vehicles, since Li-air batteries provide ten-times-higher theoretical capacities than those from current Li-ion batteries. Nonetheless, Li-air batteries have not yet been implemented to the market because of several major drawbacks such as low capacity, poor cycle life, and low round-trip efficiency. These battery performances are highly dependent on the design of air cathodes, thus much effort has been devoted to the development of high performance cathode. Among various materials, carbonaceous materials have been widely studied as the basis of air cathodes especially for non-aqueous Li-O2 cells due to their high electric conductivity, low cost, and ease of fabrication. This review summarizes the history, scientific background, and perspectives of Liair batteries, particularly from the viewpoint of carbon-based air cathodes.Graphical abstract

Evaluation of graphene-wrapped LiFePO4 as novel cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Graphene-wrapped LiFePO4 (LiFePO4/G) is introduced as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries with an excellent rate capability. A straightforward solid-state reaction between graphene oxide-wrapped FePO4 and a lithium precursor resulted in highly conducting LiFePO4/G composites, which feature ∼70 nm-sized LiFePO4 crystallites with robust connection to the external graphene network. This unique morphology enables all LiFePO4 particles to be readily accessed by electrons during battery operation, leading to a remarkably enhanced rate capability. The in situ electrochemical impedance spectra were studied in detail throughout charge and discharge processes, by which enhanced electronic conductance and thereby reduced charge transfer resistance was confirmed as the origin of the superior performance in the novel LiFePO4/G.