Mun Sek Kim

All Publications

• Revealing the Multifunctions of Li3N in the Suspension Electrolyte for Lithium Metal Batteries. ACS nano Kim, M. S., Zhang, Z., Wang, J., Oyakhire, S. T., Kim, S. C., Yu, Z., Chen, Y., Boyle, D. T., Ye, Y., Huang, Z., Zhang, W., Xu, R., Sayavong, P., Bent, S. F., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 2023

  Abstract

  Inorganic-rich solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) on Li metal anodes improve the electrochemical performance of Li metal batteries (LMBs). Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the roles played by essential inorganic compounds in SEIs is critical to realizing and developing high-performance LMBs. Among the prevalent SEI inorganic compounds observed for Li metal anodes, Li3N is often found in the SEIs of high-performance LMBs. Herein, we elucidate new features of Li3N by utilizing a suspension electrolyte design that contributes to the improved electrochemical performance of the Li metal anode. Through empirical and computational studies, we show that Li3N guides Li electrodeposition along its surface, creates a weakly solvating environment by decreasing Li+-solvent coordination, induces organic-poor SEI on the Li metal anode, and facilitates Li+ transport in the electrolyte. Importantly, recognizing specific roles of SEI inorganics for Li metal anodes can serve as one of the rational guidelines to design and optimize SEIs through electrolyte engineering for LMBs.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsnano.2c12470

  View details for PubMedID 36700841

• Suspension electrolyte with modified Li+ solvation environment for lithium metal batteries. Nature materials Kim, M. S., Zhang, Z., Rudnicki, P. E., Yu, Z., Wang, J., Wang, H., Oyakhire, S. T., Chen, Y., Kim, S. C., Zhang, W., Boyle, D. T., Kong, X., Xu, R., Huang, Z., Huang, W., Bent, S. F., Wang, L., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 1800

  Abstract

  Designing a stable solid-electrolyte interphase on a Li anode is imperative to developing reliable Li metal batteries. Herein, we report a suspension electrolyte design that modifies the Li+ solvation environment in liquid electrolytes and creates inorganic-rich solid-electrolyte interphases on Li. Li2O nanoparticles suspended in liquid electrolytes were investigated as a proof of concept. Through theoretical and empirical analyses of Li2O suspension electrolytes, the roles played by Li2O in the liquid electrolyte and solid-electrolyte interphases of the Li anode are elucidated. Also, the suspension electrolyte design is applied in conventional and state-of-the-art high-performance electrolytes to demonstrate its applicability. Based on electrochemical analyses, improved Coulombic efficiency (up to ~99.7%), reduced Li nucleation overpotential, stabilized Li interphases and prolonged cycle life of anode-free cells (~70 cycles at 80% of initial capacity) were achieved with the suspension electrolytes. We expect this design principle and our findings to be expanded into developing electrolytes and solid-electrolyte interphases for Li metal batteries.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41563-021-01172-3

  View details for PubMedID 35039645

• Rational solvent molecule tuning for high-performance lithium metal battery electrolytes NATURE ENERGY Yu, Z., Rudnicki, P. E., Zhang, Z., Huang, Z., Celik, H., Oyakhire, S. T., Chen, Y., Kong, X., Kim, S., Xiao, X., Wang, H., Zheng, Y., Kamat, G. A., Kim, M., Bent, S. F., Qin, J., Cui, Y., Bao, Z. 2022

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41560-021-00962-y

  View details for Web of Science ID 000742253900001

• Enabling reversible redox reactions in electrochemical cells using protected LiAl intermetallics as lithium metal anodes Science Advances Kim, M., et al 2019; 5 (10)

  View details for DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aax5587

• Langmuir-Blodgett artificial solid-electrolyte interphases for practical lithium metal batteries NATURE ENERGY Kim, M., Ryu, J., Deepika, Lim, Y., Nah, I., Lee, K., Archer, L. A., Cho, W. 2018; 3 (10): 889–98

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41560-018-0237-6

  View details for Web of Science ID 000446724600020

• Designing solid-electrolyte interphases for lithium sulfur electrodes using ionic shields NANO ENERGY Kim, M., Kim, M., Do, V., Lim, Y., Nah, I., Archer, L. A., Cho, W. 2017; 41: 573–82

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.10.018

  View details for Web of Science ID 000415302600063

• Multifunctional Separator Coatings for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES Kim, M., Ma, L., Choudhury, S., Archer, L. A. 2016; 3 (22)

  View details for DOI 10.1002/admi.201600450

  View details for Web of Science ID 000396444200004

• Fabricating multifunctional nanoparticle membranes by a fast layer-by-layer Langmuir-Blodgett process: application in lithium-sulfur batteries JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A Kim, M. S., Ma, L., Choudhury, S., Moganty, S. S., Wei, S., Archer, L. A. 2016; 4 (38): 14709–19

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c6ta06018h

  View details for Web of Science ID 000385360300024

• Templated 3D Ultrathin CVD Graphite Networks with Controllable Geometry: Synthesis and Application As Supercapacitor Electrodes ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Hsia, B., Kim, M., Luna, L. E., Mair, N. R., Kim, Y., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R. 2014; 6 (21): 18413–17

  Abstract

  Three-dimensional ultrathin graphitic foams are grown via chemical vapor deposition on templated Ni scaffolds, which are electrodeposited on a close-packed array of polystyrene microspheres. After removal of the Ni, free-standing foams composed of conjoined hollow ultrathin graphite spheres are obtained. Control over the pore size and foam thickness is demonstrated. The graphitic foam is tested as a supercapacitor electrode, exhibiting electrochemical double-layer capacitance values that compare well to those obtained with the state-of-the-art 3D graphene materials.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/am504695t

  View details for Web of Science ID 000344978200006

  View details for PubMedID 25318008

• Flexible micro-supercapacitors with high energy density from simple transfer of photoresist-derived porous carbon electrodes CARBON Kim, M., Hsia, B., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R. 2014; 74: 163–69

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.carbon.2014.03.019

  View details for Web of Science ID 000336339400018

• FLEXIBLE MICRO-SUPERCAPACITORS FROM PHOTORESIST-DERIVED CARBON ELECTRODES ON FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATES Kim, M., Hsia, B., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R., IEEE IEEE. 2014: 389–92

  View details for Web of Science ID 000352217500101

• Solvation-property relationship of lithium-sulphur battery electrolytes. Nature communications Kim, S. C., Gao, X., Liao, S., Su, H., Chen, Y., Zhang, W., Greenburg, L. C., Pan, J., Zheng, X., Ye, Y., Kim, M. S., Sayavong, P., Brest, A., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 2024; 15 (1): 1268

  Abstract

  The Li-S battery is a promising next-generation battery chemistry that offers high energy density and low cost. The Li-S battery has a unique chemistry with intermediate sulphur species readily solvated in electrolytes, and understanding their implications is important from both practical and fundamental perspectives. In this study, we utilise the solvation free energy of electrolytes as a metric to formulate solvation-property relationships in various electrolytes and investigate their impact on the solvated lithium polysulphides. We find that solvation free energy influences Li-S battery voltage profile, lithium polysulphide solubility, Li-S battery cyclability and the Li metal anode; weaker solvation leads to lower 1st plateau voltage, higher 2nd plateau voltage, lower lithium polysulphide solubility, and superior cyclability of Li-S full cells and Li metal anodes. We believe that relationships delineated in this study can guide the design of high-performance electrolytes for Li-S batteries.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-44527-x

  View details for PubMedID 38341443

• Recovery of isolated lithium through discharged state calendar ageing. Nature Zhang, W., Sayavong, P., Xiao, X., Oyakhire, S. T., Shuchi, S. B., Vilá, R. A., Boyle, D. T., Kim, S. C., Kim, M. S., Holmes, S. E., Ye, Y., Li, D., Bent, S. F., Cui, Y. 2024; 626 (7998): 306-312

  Abstract

  Rechargeable Li-metal batteries have the potential to more than double the specific energy of the state-of-the-art rechargeable Li-ion batteries, making Li-metal batteries a prime candidate for next-generation high-energy battery technology1-3. However, current Li-metal batteries suffer from fast cycle degradation compared with their Li-ion battery counterparts2,3, preventing their practical adoption. A main contributor to capacity degradation is the disconnection of Li from the electrochemical circuit, forming isolated Li4-8. Calendar ageing studies have shown that resting in the charged state promotes further reaction of active Li with the surrounding electrolyte9-12. Here we discover that calendar ageing in the discharged state improves capacity retention through isolated Li recovery, which is in contrast with the well-known phenomenon of capacity degradation observed during the charged state calendar ageing. Inactive capacity recovery is verified through observation of Coulombic efficiency greater than 100% on both Li||Cu half-cells and anode-free cells using a hybrid continuous-resting cycling protocol and with titration gas chromatography. An operando optical setup further confirms excess isolated Li reactivation as the predominant contributor to the increased capacity recovery. These insights into a previously unknown pathway for capacity recovery through discharged state resting emphasize the marked impact of cycling strategies on Li-metal battery performance.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-023-06992-8

  View details for PubMedID 38326593

  View details for PubMedCentralID 8580315

• Proximity Matters: Interfacial Solvation Dictates Solid Electrolyte Interphase Composition. Nano letters Oyakhire, S. T., Liao, S., Shuchi, S. B., Kim, M. S., Kim, S. C., Yu, Z., Vila, R. A., Rudnicki, P. E., Cui, Y., Bent, S. F. 2023

  Abstract

  The composition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) plays an important role in controlling Li-electrolyte reactions, but the underlying cause of SEI composition differences between electrolytes remains unclear. Many studies correlate SEI composition with the bulk solvation of Li ions in the electrolyte, but this correlation does not fully capture the interfacial phenomenon of SEI formation. Here, we provide a direct connection between SEI composition and Li-ion solvation by forming SEIs using polar substrates that modify interfacial solvation structures. We circumvent the deposition of Li metal by forming the SEI above Li+/Li redox potential. Using theory, we show that an increase in the probability density of anions near a polar substrate increases anion incorporation within the SEI, providing a direct correlation between interfacial solvation and SEI composition. Finally, we use this concept to form stable anion-rich SEIs, resulting in high performance lithium metal batteries.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c02037

  View details for PubMedID 37565722

• High-entropy electrolytes for practical lithium metal batteries NATURE ENERGY Kim, S., Wang, J., Xu, R., Zhang, P., Chen, Y., Huang, Z., Yang, Y., Yu, Z., Oyakhire, S. T., Zhang, W., Greenburg, L. C., Kim, M., Boyle, D. T., Sayavong, P., Ye, Y., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 2023

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41560-023-01280-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 001023405800005

• Dissolution of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase and Its Effects on Lithium Metal Anode Cyclability. Journal of the American Chemical Society Sayavong, P., Zhang, W., Oyakhire, S. T., Boyle, D. T., Chen, Y., Kim, S. C., Vilá, R. A., Holmes, S. E., Kim, M. S., Bent, S. F., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 2023

  Abstract

  At >95% Coulombic efficiencies, most of the capacity loss for Li metal anodes (LMAs) is through the formation and growth of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). However, the mechanism through which this happens remains unclear. One property of the SEI that directly affects its formation and growth is the SEI's solubility in the electrolyte. Here, we systematically quantify and compare the solubility of SEIs derived from ether-based electrolytes optimized for LMAs using in-operando electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). A correlation among solubility, passivity, and cyclability established in this work reveals that SEI dissolution is a major contributor to the differences in passivity and electrochemical performance among battery electrolytes. Together with our EQCM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy results, we show that solubility depends on not only the SEI's composition but also the properties of the electrolyte. This provides a crucial piece of information that could help minimize capacity loss due to SEI formation and growth during battery cycling and aging.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/jacs.3c03195

  View details for PubMedID 37220230

• Data-driven electrolyte design for lithium metal anodes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Kim, S. C., Oyakhire, S. T., Athanitis, C., Wang, J., Zhang, Z., Zhang, W., Boyle, D. T., Kim, M. S., Yu, Z., Gao, X., Sogade, T., Wu, E., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Bent, S. F., Cui, Y. 2023; 120 (10): e2214357120

  Abstract

  Improving Coulombic efficiency (CE) is key to the adoption of high energy density lithium metal batteries. Liquid electrolyte engineering has emerged as a promising strategy for improving the CE of lithium metal batteries, but its complexity renders the performance prediction and design of electrolytes challenging. Here, we develop machine learning (ML) models that assist and accelerate the design of high-performance electrolytes. Using the elemental composition of electrolytes as the features of our models, we apply linear regression, random forest, and bagging models to identify the critical features for predicting CE. Our models reveal that a reduction in the solvent oxygen content is critical for superior CE. We use the ML models to design electrolyte formulations with fluorine-free solvents that achieve a high CE of 99.70%. This work highlights the promise of data-driven approaches that can accelerate the design of high-performance electrolytes for lithium metal batteries.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2214357120

  View details for PubMedID 36848560

• Correlating the Formation Protocols of Solid Electrolyte Interphases with Practical Performance Metrics in Lithium Metal Batteries ACS ENERGY LETTERS Oyakhire, S. T., Zhang, W., Yu, Z., Holmes, S. E., Sayavong, P., Kim, S., Boyle, D. T., Kim, M., Zhang, Z., Cui, Y., Bent, S. F. 2023: 869-877

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsenergylett.2c02137

  View details for Web of Science ID 000913929700001

• Resolving Current-Dependent Regimes of Electroplating Mechanisms for Fast Charging Lithium Metal Anodes. Nano letters Boyle, D. T., Li, Y., Pei, A., Vila, R. A., Zhang, Z., Sayavong, P., Kim, M. S., Huang, W., Wang, H., Liu, Y., Xu, R., Sinclair, R., Qin, J., Bao, Z., Cui, Y. 2022

  Abstract

  Poor fast-charge capabilities limit the usage of rechargeable Li metal anodes. Understanding the connection between charging rate, electroplating mechanism, and Li morphology could enable fast-charging solutions. Here, we develop a combined electroanalytical and nanoscale characterization approach to resolve the current-dependent regimes of Li plating mechanisms and morphology. Measurement of Li+ transport through the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) shows that low currents induce plating at buried Li||SEI interfaces, but high currents initiate SEI-breakdown and plating at fresh Li||electrolyte interfaces. The latter pathway can induce uniform growth of {110}-faceted Li at extremely high currents, suggesting ion-transport limitations alone are insufficient to predict Li morphology. At battery relevant fast-charging rates, SEI-breakdown above a critical current density produces detrimental morphology and poor cyclability. Thus, prevention of both SEI-breakdown and slow ion-transport in the electrolyte is essential. This mechanistic insight can inform further electrolyte engineering and customization of fast-charging protocols for Li metal batteries.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c02792

  View details for PubMedID 36214378

• A Li-In alloy anode and Nb2CTX artificial solid-electrolyte interphase for practical Li metal batteries JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A Lee, S., Kim, M., Lee, J., Ryu, J., Do, V., Lee, B., Kim, W., Il Cho, W. 2022

  View details for DOI 10.1039/d1ta09366e

  View details for Web of Science ID 000746914000001

• Regulating electrodeposition morphology of lithium: towards commercially relevant secondary Li metal batteries. Chemical Society reviews Zheng, J., Kim, M. S., Tu, Z., Choudhury, S., Tang, T., Archer, L. A. 2020

  Abstract

  Lithium, the lightest and most electronegative metallic element, has long been considered the ultimate choice as a battery anode for mobile, as well as in some stationary applications. The high electronegativity of Li is, however, a double-edged sword-it facilitates a large operating voltage when paired with essentially any cathode, promising a high cell-level energy density. It is also synonymous with a high chemical reactivity and low reduction potential. The interfaces a Li metal anode forms with any other material (liquid or solid) in an electrochemical cell are therefore always mediated by one or more products of its chemical or electrochemical reactions with that material. The physical, crystallographic, mechanical, electrochemical, and transport properties of the resultant new material phases (interphases) regulate all interfacial processes at a Li metal anode, including electrodeposition during battery recharge. This Review takes recent efforts aimed at manipulating the structure, composition, and physical properties of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on an Li anode as a point of departure to discuss the structural, electrokinetic, and electrochemical requirements for achieving high anode reversibility. An important conclusion is that while recent reports showing significant advances in the achievement of highly reversible Li anodes, e.g. as measured by the coulombic efficiency (CE), raise prospects for as significant progress towards commercially relevant Li metal batteries, the plateauing of achievable CE values to around 99 ± 0.5% apparent from a comprehensive analysis of the literature is problematic because CE values of at least 99.7%, and preferably >99.9% are required for Li metal cells to live up to the potential for higher energy density batteries offered by the Li metal anode. On this basis, we discuss promising approaches for creating purpose-built interphases on Li, as well as for fabricating advanced Li electrode architectures for regulating Li electrodeposition morphology and crystallinity. Considering the large number of physical and chemical factors involved in achieving fine control of Li electrodeposition, we believe that achievement of the remaining 0.5% in anode reversibility will require fresh approaches, perhaps borrowed from other fields. We offer perspectives on both current and new strategies for achieving such Li anodes with the specific aim of engaging established contributors and newcomers to the field in the search for scalable solutions.

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c9cs00883g

  View details for PubMedID 32232259

• Facile and scalable fabrication of high-energy-density sulfur cathodes for pragmatic lithium-sulfur batteries JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES Kim, M., Kim, M., Do, V., Xia, Y., Kim, W., Cho, W. 2019; 422: 104–12

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.02.093

  View details for Web of Science ID 000465365900013

• Carbon Nitride Phosphorus as an Effective Lithium Polysulfide Adsorbent fro Lithium-Sulfur Batteries ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Do, V., Deepika, Kim, M., Kim, M., Lee, K., Cho, W. 2019; 11 (12): 11431–41

  Abstract

  Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are attracting substantial attention because of their high-energy densities and potential applications in portable electronics. However, an intrinsic property of Li-S systems, that is, the solubility of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), hinders the commercialization of Li-S batteries. Herein, a new material, that is, carbon nitride phosphorus (CNP), is designed and synthesized as a superior LiPS adsorbent to overcome the issues of Li-S batteries. Both the experimental results and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that CNP possesses the highest binding energy with LiPS at a P concentration of ∼22% (CNP22). The DFT calculations explain the simultaneous existence of Li-N bonding and P-S coordination in the sulfur cathode when CNP22 interacts with LiPS. By introducing CNP22 into the Li-S systems, a sufficient charging capacity at a low cutoff voltage, that is, 2.45 V, is effectively implemented, to minimize the side reactions, and therefore, to prolong the cycling life of Li-S systems. After 700 cycles, a Li-S cell with CNP22 gives a high discharge capacity of 850 mA h g-1 and a cycling stability with a decay rate of 0.041% cycle-1. The incorporation of CNP22 can achieve high performance in Li-S batteries without concerns regarding the LiPS shuttling phenomenon.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsami.8b22249

  View details for Web of Science ID 000462950600036

  View details for PubMedID 30874419

• alpha-Fe2O3 anchored on porous N doped carbon derived from green microalgae via spray pyrolysis as anode materials for lithium ion batteries JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY Kwon, K., Kim, I., Lee, K., Kim, H., Kim, M., Cho, W., Choi, J., Nah, I. 2019; 69: 39–47

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jiec.2018.09.004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000452934600005

• Stable Artificial Solid Electrolyte Interphases for Lithium Batteries CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS Ma, L., Kim, M., Archer, L. A. 2017; 29 (10): 4181–89

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03687

  View details for Web of Science ID 000402498000006

• Enhanced Li-S Batteries Using Amine-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes in the Cathode ACS NANO Ma, L., Zhuang, H. L., Wei, S., Hendrickson, K. E., Kim, M., Cohn, G., Hennig, R. G., Archer, L. A. 2016; 10 (1): 1050–59

  Abstract

  The rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is an attractive platform for high-energy, low-cost electrochemical energy storage. Practical Li-S cells are limited by several fundamental issues, including the low conductivity of sulfur and its reduction compounds with Li and the dissolution of long-chain lithium polysulfides (LiPS) into the electrolyte. We report on an approach that allows high-performance sulfur-carbon cathodes to be designed based on tethering polyethylenimine (PEI) polymers bearing large numbers of amine groups in every molecular unit to hydroxyl- and carboxyl-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes. Significantly, for the first time we show by means of direct dissolution kinetics measurements that the incorporation of CNT-PEI hybrids in a sulfur cathode stabilizes the cathode by both kinetic and thermodynamic processes. Composite sulfur cathodes based the CNT-PEI hybrids display high capacity at both low and high current rates, with capacity retention rates exceeding 90%. The attractive electrochemical performance of the materials is shown by means of DFT calculations and physical analysis to originate from three principal sources: (i) specific and strong interaction between sulfur species and amine groups in PEI; (ii) an interconnected conductive CNT substrate; and (iii) the combination of physical and thermal sequestration of LiPS provided by the CNT=PEI composite.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acsnano.5b06373

  View details for Web of Science ID 000369115800114

  View details for PubMedID 26634409

• Photoresist-derived porous carbon for on-chip micro-supercapacitors CARBON Hsia, B., Kim, M., Vincent, M., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R. 2013; 57: 395–400

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.carbon.2013.01.089

  View details for Web of Science ID 000319030000045

• Silicon carbide nanowires as highly robust electrodes for micro-supercapacitors JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES Alper, J. P., Kim, M., Vincent, M., Hsia, B., Radmilovic, V., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R. 2013; 230: 298–302

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.12.085

  View details for Web of Science ID 000315606000043

• Cycling characteristics of high energy density, electrochemically activated porous-carbon supercapacitor electrodes in aqueous electrolytes JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A Hsia, B., Kim, M., Carraro, C., Maboudian, R. 2013; 1 (35): 10518–23

  View details for DOI 10.1039/c3ta11670k

  View details for Web of Science ID 000323132700058