Lithium–liquid battery: harvesting lithium from waste Li-ion batteries and discharging with water

Abstract

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using water and the contents of waste Li-ion batteries for the electrodes in a Li-liquid battery system. Li metal was collected electrochemically from a waste Li-ion battery containing Li-ion source materials from the battery's anode, cathode, and electrolyte, thereby recycling the Li contained in the waste battery at room temperature. The harvested Li metal in the battery system was discharged to produce electricity by using water as the cathode. The discharge voltage of the water showed 2.7 V at 0.1 mA cm 22 versus Li metal harvested from waste Li-ion batteries, compared to 2.8 V versus fresh Li metal at the same current rate. Since the electrodes for this proposed battery system are water and the contents of waste Li-ion batteries, the cost of the battery decreases, which is an attractive strategy for a large size energy storage application.

Excellent Stability of a Lithium‐Ion‐Conducting Solid Electrolyte upon Reversible Li+/H+ Exchange in Aqueous Solutions

“…[1] If the associated pH change deteriorates the performance of the solid electrolyte, the battery can no longer function properly. [8,9] Presently, nearly all studies on aqueous Li batteries have utilized a Li 1+x+y Al x Ti 2-x P 3-y Si y O 12 (LATP) glass ceramic (Ohara Inc., Japan) [10] as the solid electrolyte, [4,5,7,[11][12][13][14][15] which corrodes rapidly unless the pH value is maintained between 7 and 10. [4] However, few solid electrolytes show satisfactory performance in this regard; many of them (e.g., LiPON and most sulfides) simply decompose in aqueous environments regardless of the pH value.…”

“…[4] However, few solid electrolytes show satisfactory performance in this regard; many of them (e.g., LiPON and most sulfides) simply decompose in aqueous environments regardless of the pH value. [8,9] Presently, nearly all studies on aqueous Li batteries have utilized a Li 1+x+y Al x Ti 2-x P 3-y Si y O 12 (LATP) glass ceramic (Ohara Inc., Japan) [10] as the solid electrolyte, [4,5,7,[11][12][13][14][15] which corrodes rapidly unless the pH value is maintained between 7 and 10. [16][17][18][19][20] If immersed in strongly basic solutions, the LATP decomposes and forms a high-resistance phase.…”

Nonaqueous redox-flow batteries: organic solvents, supporting electrolytes, and redox pairs

“…36,37 Furthermore, the combination of nonaqueous electrolyte and aqueous one opens up an important research direction, exemplified by the recent breakthroughs. 14,15,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] Compared with aqueous RFBs, nonaqueous RFBs can offer wide working temperature, high cell voltage, and potentially high energy density, thanks to the nature of organic solvents. As a family member of RFBs, nonaqueous RFBs, especially those with the ability to work at low temperatures, are an important complement of aqueous RFBs, broadening the spectrum of RFB applications.…”

Excellent Stability of a Lithium‐Ion‐Conducting Solid Electrolyte upon Reversible Li+/H+ Exchange in Aqueous Solutions

“…[4] However, few solid electrolytes show satisfactory performance in this regard; many of them (e.g., LiPON and most sulfides) simply decompose in aqueous environments regardless of the pH value. [8,9] Presently, nearly all studies on aqueous Li batteries have utilized a Li 1+x+y Al x Ti 2-x P 3-y Si y O 12 (LATP) glass ceramic (Ohara Inc., Japan) [10] as the solid electrolyte, [4,5,7,[11][12][13][14][15] which corrodes rapidly unless the pH value is maintained between 7 and 10. [16][17][18][19][20] If immersed in strongly basic solutions, the LATP decomposes and forms a high-resistance phase.…”