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Dong‐Hwa Seo

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology · Engineering

About the Lab

Professor Dong-Hwa Seo's research lab specializes in computational materials science with a focus on designing advanced cathode materials for next-generation lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. The lab employs state-of-the-art first-principles calculations to investigate the electronic structure, ion diffusion mechanisms, and electrochemical properties of complex oxides, including olivine, disordered-layered, and rock-salt type materials. Key research directions include understanding the role of transition metal cation distribution, local structural distortions, and Li-excess behavior in enhancing ionic conductivity, capacity retention, and energy density. The lab also explores innovative electrode architectures, such as anode-free Li metal batteries with functional current collectors, to overcome volume change and interfacial instability issues.

energy storagelithium-ion batteriesfirst-principles calculationscathode materialsion diffusion

Research Overview

Papers
216
Total Citations
20,165
Papers (5y)
102
Primary Field
Engineering

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
102total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
1,487total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|1,516 citations·2016
The structural and chemical origin of the oxygen redox activity in layered and cation-disordered Li-excess cathode materials
Dong‐Hwa Seo, Jinhyuk Lee, Alexander Urban, Rahul Malik, ShinYoung Kang, Gerbrand Ceder
SJR Q1Nature ChemistryOA
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
2
Article|195 citations·2023
Boosting the interfacial superionic conduction of halide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries
Hiram Kwak, Jae‐Seung Kim, Daseul Han, Jong Seok Kim, Juhyoun Park, Gihan Kwon, Seong‐Min Bak, Un-Seon Heo, Changhyun Park, Hyun‐Wook Lee, Kyung‐Wan Nam, Dong‐Hwa Seo
SJR Q1Nature CommunicationsOA

Abstract Designing highly conductive and (electro)chemical stable inorganic solid electrolytes using cost-effective materials is crucial for developing all-solid-state batteries. Here, we report halide nanocomposite solid electrolytes (HNSEs) ZrO 2 (-ACl)-A 2 ZrCl 6 (A = Li or Na) that demonstrate improved ionic conductivities at 30 °C, from 0.40 to 1.3 mS cm −1 and from 0.011 to 0.11 mS cm −1 for Li + and Na + , respectively, compared to A 2 ZrCl 6 , and improved compatibility with sulfide soli

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
3
Article|172 citations·2015
Calibrating transition-metal energy levels and oxygen bands in first-principles calculations: Accurate prediction of redox potentials and charge transfer in lithium transition-metal oxides
Dong‐Hwa Seo, Alexander Urban, Gerbrand Ceder
SJR Q1Physical Review BOA

Transition-metal (TM) oxides play an increasingly important role in technology today, including applications such as catalysis, solar energy harvesting, and energy storage. In many of these applications, the details of their electronic structure near the Fermi level are critically important for their properties. We propose a first-principles--based computational methodology for the accurate prediction of oxygen charge transfer in TM oxides and lithium TM (Li-TM) oxides. To obtain accurate electr

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
4
Article|115 citations·2009
Multicomponent Olivine Cathode for Lithium Rechargeable Batteries: A First-Principles Study
Dong‐Hwa Seo, Hyeokjo Gwon, Sung‐Wook Kim, Jongsoon Kim, Kisuk Kang
SJR Q1Chemistry of Materials

The in-depth study of the multicomponent effect on the structural and electrochemical properties of olivine cathodes is conducted using state-of-the-art first-principles calculations. The distribution of multiple transition metals in olivine structure alters local crystal structure and electronic structure, affecting its kinetic and thermodynamic properties. We find that local structure change, such as the reduced Jahn−Teller effect of Mn, significantly enhances both Li mobility and electron (po

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
5
Article|85 citations·2022
Highly Reversible Lithium Host Materials for High‐Energy‐Density Anode‐Free Lithium Metal Batteries
Sung‐Jin Cho, Dong Yeon Kim, Jungin Lee, Jisu Kang, Hyeongseok Lee, Gahyun Kim, Dong‐Hwa Seo, Soojin Park
SJR Q1Advanced Functional Materials

Abstract Anode‐free Li metal batteries are one of the finest prospects for increasing energy density beyond that of standard lithium‐ion batteries. Conversely, the absence of Li reservoir generates unwarranted volume expansion, permitting electrolyte depletion and rapid cathode capacity consumption. To address this issue, an anode‐free Li metal battery with an ion‐conductive layer coated Cu current collector Ag/L in typical carbonate‐based electrolytes is presented. The ion‐conducting layer caus

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
6
Article|77 citations·2011
First-principles study on lithium metal borate cathodes for lithium rechargeable batteries
Dong‐Hwa Seo, Young‐Uk Park, Sung‐Wook Kim, Inchul Park, Abdul Shakoor, Kisuk Kang
SJR Q1Physical Review B

A computational study of the electrochemical properties of three isotopic LiMBO${}_{3}$ compounds (M $=$ Mn, Fe, and Co) as cathode materials is conducted using state-of-the-art first-principles calculations. The calculation of the Li intercalation potentials of LiMBO${}_{3}$ predicts that the theoretical energy density (660--860 Wh kg${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) can be comparable to or even higher than the corresponding olivine phosphates (595 Wh kg${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for LiFePO${}_{4}$). In addi

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
7
Article|64 citations·2021
Determining the Criticality of Li‐Excess for Disordered‐Rocksalt Li‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Jinhyuk Lee, Chao Wang, Rahul Malik, Yanhao Dong, Yimeng Huang, Dong‐Hwa Seo, Ju Li
SJR Q1Advanced Energy MaterialsOA

Abstract The development of Li‐excess disordered‐rocksalt (DRX) cathodes for Li‐ion batteries and interpretation through the framework of percolation theory of Li diffusion have steered researchers to consider “Li‐excess” ( x > 1.1 in Li x TM 2− x O 2 ; TM = transition metal) as being critical to achieving high performance. It is shown that this is not necessary for Mn‐rich DRX‐cathodes demonstrated by Li 1.05 Mn 0.90 Nb 0.05 O 2 and Li 1.20 Mn 0.60 Nb 0.20 O 2 , which both deliver high capac

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
8
Article|55 citations·2021
Lattice‐Oxygen‐Stabilized Li‐ and Mn‐Rich Cathodes with Sub‐Micrometer Particles by Modifying the Excess‐Li Distribution
Jaeseong Hwang, Seungjun Myeong, Eunryeol Lee, Haeseong Jang, Moonsu Yoon, Hyungyeon Cha, Jaekyung Sung, Min Gyu Kim, Dong‐Hwa Seo, Jaephil Cho
SJR Q1Advanced Materials

Abstract In recent years, Li‐ and Mn‐rich layered oxides (LMRs) have been vigorously explored as promising cathodes for next‐generation, Li‐ion batteries due to their high specific energy. Nevertheless, their actual implementation is still far from a reality since the trade‐off relationship between the particle size and chemical reversibility prevents LMRs from achieving a satisfactory, industrial energy density. To solve this material dilemma, herein, a novel morphological and structural design

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
9
Article|52 citations·2023
Electrochemical Evolution of Ru‐Based Polyoxometalates into Si,W‐Codoped RuOx for Acidic Overall Water Splitting
Dasom Jeon, Dong Yeon Kim, Hyeongoo Kim, Nayeong Kim, Cheolmin Lee, Dong‐Hwa Seo, Jungki Ryu
SJR Q1Advanced Materials

Abstract Despite intensive studies over decades, the development of electrocatalysts for acidic water splitting still relies on platinum group metals, especially Pt and Ir, which are scarce, expensive, and poorly sustainable. Because such problems can be alleviated, Ru‐based bifunctional catalysts such as rutile RuO 2 have recently emerged. However, RuO 2 has a relatively low activity for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) and low stability for oxygen evolution reactions (OER) under acidic condi

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the EnvironmentEnergy
10
Article|45 citations·2020
Mixed Ionic–Electronic Conductor of Perovskite LixLayMO3−δ toward Carbon‐Free Cathode for Reversible Lithium–Air Batteries
Sang Bok, Hyuk Jae Kwon, Mokwon Kim, Seong‐Min Bak, Hyunpyo Lee, Steven N. Ehrlich, Jeong‐Ju Cho, Dongmin Im, Dong‐Hwa Seo
SJR Q1Advanced Energy MaterialsOA

Abstract Mixed ionic–electronic conductors (MIECs) can play a pivotal role in achieving high energies and power densities in rechargeable batteries owing to their ability to simultaneously conduct ions and electrons. Herein, a new strategy is proposed wherein late 3d transition metals (TMs) are substituted into a perovskite Li‐ion conductor to transform it into a Li‐containing MIEC. First‐principles calculations show that perovskite Li x La y MO 3 with late 3d TMs have a low oxygen vacancy forma

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
11
Article|42 citations·2023
Molecularly engineered linear organic carbonates as practically viable nonflammable electrolytes for safe Li-ion batteries
Jina Lee, A‐Re Jeon, Hye Jin Lee, Ukseon Shin, Yiseul Yoo, Hee‐Dae Lim, Cheolhee Han, Hochun Lee, Yong Jin Kim, Jayeon Baek, Dong‐Hwa Seo, Minah Lee
SJR Q1Energy & Environmental Science

Concurrent modification of linear carbonates combining alkyl-chain extension and alkoxy substitution enables thermally stable high-performance batteries by decreasing volatility and increasing solvation ability simultaneously.

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
12
Article|41 citations·2023
Full‐Hexacyanometallate Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries Exceeding 1.5 V in an Aqueous Solution
Jieun Jang, Ryeong‐ah Kim, S. Jayasubramaniyan, Chanhee Lee, Jieun Choi, Y. K. Lee, Sujin Kang, Jaechan Ryu, Seok Woo Lee, Jaephil Cho, Dong Woog Lee, Hyun‐Kon Song
SJR Q1Advanced Energy MaterialsOA

Abstract Aqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs) have attracted significant attention as energy storage systems by virtue of their inexpensive nature and long‐lasting features. Although all‐vanadium RFBs exhibit long lifetimes, the cost of vanadium resources fluctuates considerably, and is generally expensive. Iron–chromium RFBs take advantage of utilizing a low‐cost and large abundance of iron and chromite ore; however, the redox chemistry of Cr II/III generally involves strong Jahn–Teller effects.

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
13
Article|41 citations·2023
Nanocomposite Engineering of a High‐Capacity Partially Ordered Cathode for Li‐Ion Batteries
Eunryeol Lee, Tae‐Ung Wi, Jaehyun Park, Sang‐Wook Park, Min‐Ho Kim, Dae‐Hyung Lee, Byung‐Chun Park, Chiho Jo, Rahul Malik, Jong‐Hoon Lee, Jong‐Hoon Lee, Tae Joo Shin
SJR Q1Advanced MaterialsOA

Abstract Understanding the local cation order in the crystal structure and its correlation with electrochemical performances has advanced the development of high‐energy Mn‐rich cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries, notably Li‐ and Mn‐rich layered cathodes (LMR, e.g., Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Mn 0.54 Co 0.13 O 2 ) that are considered as nanocomposite layered materials with C2/m Li 2 MnO 3 ‐type medium‐range order (MRO). Moreover, the Li‐transport rate in high‐capacity Mn‐based disordered rock‐salt (DRX)

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
14
Article|40 citations·2011
The predicted crystal structure of Li4C6O6, an organic cathode material for Li-ion batteries, from first-principles multi-level computational methods
Dong‐Hwa Seo, Hyungjun Kim, Haegyeom Kim, William A. Goddard, Kisuk Kang
SJR Q1Energy & Environmental Science

In this communication, we use first-principles based multi-level computational methods to predict the crystal structure of Li4C6O6, the key intermediate material that can be oxidized to Li2C6O6 or reduced to Li6C6O6. This predicted structure leads to an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern in good agreement with experiment, validating the predicted structure. With this structure in hand one can proceed to determine details for the electrochemical properties of these organic electrodes (chemical poten

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringEngineering
15
Article|39 citations·2025
Unassisted electrochemical H2O2 production coupled to glycerol oxidation
Dongrak Oh, Seon Woo Hwang, Dong Yeon Kim, Jesse E. Matthews, Jin‐Young Lee, Jaime E. Avilés Acosta, Sang‐Won Lee, Yi Xu, Ara Cho, Dong Un Lee, Thomas F. Jaramillo, Dong‐Hwa Seo
SJR Q1Nature Synthesis
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the EnvironmentEnergy

Research Areas

Electrical and Electronic EngineeringAutomotive EngineeringRenewable Energy, Sustainability and the EnvironmentMaterials ChemistryMechanical EngineeringPolymers and Plastics

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