Korea University · Engineering
Professor Dong-Joo Yoo's research lab specializes in advanced energy storage systems, with a primary focus on next-generation batteries beyond lithium-ion technology. The lab explores multivalent ion batteries—particularly aluminum, magnesium, and calcium-based systems—aimed at overcoming the limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries through abundant, high-capacity metal anodes. Key research directions include the design of novel cathode materials, rational electrolyte engineering for low-temperature performance, and fundamental understanding of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and ion transport mechanisms. The lab combines experimental synthesis with computational modeling, such as density functional theory (DFT), to guide the development of high-performance, long-cycle-life batteries for sustainable energy applications.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Contrary to early motivation, the majority of aluminium ion batteries developed to date do not utilise multivalent ion storage; rather, these batteries rely on monovalent complex ions for their main redox reaction. This limitation is somewhat frustrating because the innate advantages of metallic aluminium such as its low cost and high air stability cannot be fully taken advantage of. Here, we report a tetradiketone macrocycle as an aluminium ion battery cathode material that reversibly reacts wi
Abstract Nonaqueous carbonate electrolytes are commonly used in commercial lithium‐ion battery (LIB). However, the sluggish Li + diffusivity and high interfacial charge transfer resistance at low temperature (LT) limit their wide adoption among geographical areas with high latitudes and altitudes. Herein, a rational design of new electrolytes is demonstrated, which can significantly improve the low temperature performance below −20 °C. This electrolyte is achieved by tailoring the chemical struc
Low-temperature electrolytes (LTEs) have been considered as one of the most challenging aspects for the wide adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) since the SOA electrolytes cannot sufficiently support the redox reactions at LT resulting in dramatic performance degradation. Although many attempts have been taken by employing various noncarbonate solvent electrolytes, there was a lack of fundamental understanding of the limiting factors for low-temperature operations (e.g., -20 to -40 °C). In
A variety of electrolyte engineering strategies have been introduced to extend the cycle life of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). These strategies can be largely grouped into two categories: those that induce a solvent-driven vs those that induce an anion-driven solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Although each strategy has proven to be effective for SEI manipulation, they are not yet comprehensively understood. Here, lithium salts with different dissociation abilities are systematically sc
The inherent limitations of lithium (Li)-ion batteries have sparked interest in exploring alternative technologies, especially those relying on metallic anodes: monovalent Li and divalent zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) metals. In particular, Mg and Ca metal batteries offer significant advantages based on the natural abundance of their raw materials and high energy-storage capabilities resulting from the bivalency of the carrier ions. Yet, these battery systems are far from commercia
Aluminum batteries are of great interest in "beyond-lithium" battery research because of their remarkably high performance in terms of rate capability and cycle life, in addition to the intrinsic advantages of aluminum metal such as its natural abundance and high theoretical capacity of 8056 mAh cm<sup>-3</sup>. The electrochemical performance that has been achieved thus far is unusual, as cells usually adopted viscous ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes with bulky complex carrier ions. Herein, we no
A sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA) binder induces the formation of a stable and Na-ion conductive NaPO2F2-rich cathode–electrolyte interphase layer via a displacement reaction.
Abstract Based on the recent discovery of the ionic liquid involving the AlCl 4 − ‐Al 2 Cl 7 − redox couple as an electrolyte, aluminum (Al) rechargeable batteries have received revamped interest. However, the corrosive nature of the chloride ion and Al 2 Cl 7 − makes it challenging to find suitable current collectors and cathode materials. Here, we screen various metals and carbon materials as current collectors, and indeed find that none of the metals commonly used for battery current collecto
Abstract In lithium metal batteries, electrolytes containing a high concentration of salts have demonstrated promising cyclability, but their practicality with respect to the cost of materials is yet to be proved. Here we report a fluorinated aromatic compound, namely 1,2‐difluorobenzene, for use as a diluent solvent in the electrolyte to realize the “high‐concentration effect”. The low energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), weak binding affinity for lithium ions, and hi
Abstract Lithium metal anodes (LMAs) are regarded as a highly promising candidate for next‐generation batteries owing to their exceptional energy density. Nevertheless, the instability of the interphase poses significant safety and degradation challenges for LMAs, thereby impeding their feasibility for commercial application. Herein, based on the lessons learned from the stable solid‐electrolyte‐interface (SEI) layer formed with ethylene carbonate (EC) solvents for graphite anodes, the effects o
In the pursuit of safer and more energy-dense battery systems, all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) have emerged as an attractive alternative with significant potential to conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, numerous protective layers proposed to passivate the Li metal anodes suffer from low ionic conductivity and high local current density due to interfacial contact loss. Here, we address these challenges by developing an intimate protective layer with high ionic co
Multivalent ion batteries have emerged as promising solutions to meet the future demands of energy storage applications, offering not only high energy density but also diverse socio-economic advantages. Among the various options for cathodes, quinone-based organic compounds have gained attention as suitable active materials for multivalent ion batteries due to their well-aligned ion channels, flexible structures, and competitive electrochemical performance. However, the charge carriers associate
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