Synthesis of nanoparticles, nanocomposite and nanostructured materials
Nanoparticles have a size range of 1 to 100 nm and provide unique properties different from conventional bulk materials. They have high surface-to-volume ratio, and controllable physical properties according to size and shape. Thus, they have received great attention in various fields. We synthesize these nanoparticles mainly through colloidal methods, and design and develop novle nanocomposites using them.
Research
We are interested in the synthesis of nanocomposite materials for applications in energy fields such as batteries and thermoelectrics.
Energy storage &
Battery materials
Reducing the electrode particle size to the nanoscale regime results in a shorter diffusion length of lithium ions and a higher electrode-electrolyte contact area due to their small size and large surface area. Nanocomposites can accomodate the strain caused by volume expansion and contraction during charging and discharging, enabling longer cycle life.
Energy conversion &
Thermoelectric materials
Thermoelectric materials enable the direct conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage and vice versa. To maximize the thermoelectric conversion efficiency, large Seebeck coefficient (α), high electrical conductivity (σ), and low thermal conductivity (κ) are required, and these transport properties depend on the materials.
