Byon Initiative Research Unit

Initiative Research Scientist

Hye Ryung Byon

  • Ph.D.
  • Hye Ryung Byon
  • Brief resume
    2008
    Ph.D., Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea
    2008
    Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
    2011
    Initiative Research Scientist, Byon Initiative Research Unit, RIKEN (-current)

Outline

Byon Initiative Research Unit

The lithium (Li)-air battery is one of the most promising new energy storage systems because this system has potentially much higher gravimetric energy storage density than any other battery technology. A lightweight positive electrode consisting of porous carbon, a catalyst and O2 drawn from a flow of air can eliminate the need to carry heavy Li intercalation compounds used for typical Li-ion batteries, thereby potentially improving the battery's efficiency. This would be very useful in a battery electric vehicle (BEV), for example. However, lack of basic knowledge of Li-air chemistry hinders the development of high-energy and long-life batteries. Therefore, the main goals of our unit are enhancing understanding of fundamental electrochemical reactions in Li-air using an in situ scanning probe, and developing high-energy Li-air batteries.

Recent Research Topic

Optimum Control of the Solid-Liquid-Gas Phase Interface for the Most Desirable Electrode Structure of Li-air Battery

Schematic view of the operation of a Li-air cell
Fig. 1: Schematic view of the operation of a Li-air cell

One critical aspect is to understand the nature of the electrochemical reaction process on carbon and catalyst surfaces when exposing diffused O2 gas and aprotic electrolyte (including Li ion) to the positive electrode. In order to comprehensively understand these scientific issues, we will use an in situ, atomic/molecular/nanometer resolution imaging instrument. In addition, we will create prototypes of Li-air cells and improve their performance by tailoring carbon electrode porosities, catalyst properties and Li-composites, based on the knowledge gained from the fundamental studies.

Selected Publications

  1. H. R. Byon, J. Suntivich, Y. Shao-Horn, Graphene-based non-noble-metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in acid, Chem. Mater. 2011, 23, 3421.
  2. S. W. Lee, B. Gallant, H. R. Byon, P. T. Hammond, Y. Shao-Horn, Nanostructured carbon-based electrodes: Bridging the gap between thin-film lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, Energy Environ. Sci. 2011, 4, 114.
  3. H. R. Byon, S. W. Lee, S. Chen, P. T. Hammond, Y. Shao-Horn, Thin films of carbon nanotubes and chemically reduced graphenes for electrochemical micro-capacitors, Carbon 2011, 49, 457.
  4. H. R. Byon, H. C. Choi, Mobile iron nanoparticle and its role in the formation of SiO2 nanotrench via carbon nanotube guided carbothermal reduction, Nano Lett. 2008, 8, 178.
  5. H. R. Byon, H. C. Choi, Carbon nanotube guided formation of silicon oxide nanotrenches, Nature Nanotech. 2007, 2, 162.

Core Members

Principal Investigator add delete
Hye Ryung Byon Initiative Research Scientist    
Staff Scientist add delete
Postdoctoral Fellow add delete
Lina Wang Postdoctoral Researcher    
Rui Wen Postdoctoral Researcher    
Eda Yilmaz Postdoctoral Researcher    
Student Trainee add delete
Technical Assistant add delete
Administrative Assistant add delete
Visiting Research Staff add delete
Hyunseob Lim Visiting Scientist    
Other Staff add delete
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