Byon Initiative Research Unit

We investigate new positive electrode materials for the Li-battery that has potentially greatly higher performance than all other Li-ion-battery technologies. The heavy Li intercalation compounds used for a typical positive electrode in the Li-ion battery generally limit gravimetric energy storage density of the battery cell, of which low battery efficiency impedes to apply for a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Therefore, the main goals of our research group are focused on developing of the promising positive electrode materials and enhancing understanding of fundamental electrochemical reactions on the Li-positive materials. We approach this research project with advanced nanomaterials that are used to build up micron size of 3-D hierarchical structures, which offer high surface area, low resistance, and short ion-diffusion-length to enable development of high-energy, fast-rechargeable, and long-life batteries. We also pursue to comprehend the chemistry in the post Li-battery by observation of the reaction interface using in-situ probes.

Research Subjects

• Development of high-energy storage materials
• Investigation of electrocatalysts
• Fundamental study of electrochemical reactions Related links

Publications

1. Lim, H., Yilmaz, E., Byon, H. R.:
   "Real-time XRD studies of Li-O2 electrochemical reaction in nonaqueous lithium-oxygen battery"
   J. Phys. Chem. Lett., 3, 21, 3210-3215 (2012)
2. Byon, H. R., Gallant, B., Lee, S. W., Shao-Horn, Y.:
   "Role of oxygen functional groups in carbon nanotube/graphene freestanding electrodes for high performance lithium batteries"
   Adv. Funct. Mater., in press (2013)
3. Byon, H. R., Suntivich, J., Crumlin, E. J., Shao-Horn, Y.:
   "Fe-N-modified multi-walled carbon nanotube for oxygen reduction reaction in acid"
   Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 13, 48, 21437-21445 (2011)
4. Byon, H. R., Suntivich, J., Shao-Horn, Y.:
   "Graphene-based non-noble-metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in acid"
   Chem. Mater., 23, 15, 3421-3428 (2011)
5. Lee, S. W., Gallant, B., Byon, H. R., Hammond, P. T., and Shao-Horn, Y.:
   "Nanostructured carbon-based electrodes: Bridging the gap between thin-film lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors"
   Energy Environ Sci., 4, 6, 114-130 (2011)
6. Byon, H. R., Lee, S. W., Chen, S., Hammond, P. T., and Shao-Horn, Y.:
   "Thin films of carbon nanotubes and chemically reduced graphenes for electrochemical micro-capacitors"
   Carbon, 49, 2, 457-467 (2011)
7. Byon, H. R., Chung, B., Chang, T., Choi, H. C.:
   "Direct formation of SiO2 nanoholes via iron nanoparticle-induced carbothermal reduction"
   Chem. Mater., 20, 21, 6600-6605 (2008)
8. Byon, H. R., and Choi, H. C.:
   "Mobile iron nanoparticle and its role in the formation of SiO2 nanotrench via carbon nanotube guided carbothermal reduction"
   Nano Lett., 8, 1, 178-182 (2008)
9. Byon, H. R., and Choi, H. C.:
   "Carbon nanotube guided formation of silicon oxide nanotrenches"
   Nature Nanotech., 2, 3, 162-166 (2007)
10. Byon, H. R., and Choi, H. C.:
    "Network single walled carbon nanotubee field effect transistors with increased Schottky contact area for highly sensitive biosensor applications"
    J. Am. Chem. Soc., 128, 7, 2188-2189 (2006)