Cathode Regeneration Solution for Room-Temperature Lithium Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cathode active material recycling methods for lithium secondary batteries require high energy, precise lithium composition analysis, and harsh conditions, making them costly and difficult to scale for large quantity recycling.

Innovation Solution

A regeneration solution for spent secondary battery cathodes using p-type redox molecules, a solvent, and a lithium salt, which allows for lithium insertion into delithiated cathodes at room temperature and ambient pressure without toxic gases, enabling efficient and reproducible cathode material recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high reaction temperature and high pressure conditions are used for cathode recycling, then the regeneration reaction can proceed, but the energy consumption increases and the process becomes difficult to scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration reaction effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the reaction parameters from high temperature and high pressure to room temperature and atmospheric pressure by introducing a regeneration solution containing p-type redox molecules and lithium salt, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining regeneration effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a regeneration solution as an intermediary medium containing p-type redox molecules and lithium salt, which mediates the lithium insertion reaction at mild conditions, avoiding the need for extreme temperature and pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise lithium composition analysis is performed for cathode recycling, then the regeneration accuracy improves, but the process cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregeneration accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The regeneration solution automatically adjusts the lithium insertion based on the cathode's actual lithium deficiency through the redox reaction mechanism, eliminating the need for manual lithium composition analysis and complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/analytical system for lithium composition analysis with a chemical system where the redox molecules automatically sense and respond to the cathode's lithium state through electrochemical reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If inert atmosphere without oxygen is used for cathode recycling, then the reaction control improves, but the equipment complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction controlVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of oxygen exposure into a beneficial feature by designing a regeneration solution that works effectively in ambient atmosphere, eliminating the need for complex inert atmosphere equipment while maintaining reaction control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Shape

If solid-state reaction method is used for cathode recycling, then the particle shape is maintained, but the reaction conditions become harsh and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle shape maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a liquid regeneration solution to penetrate and react with the cathode material at room temperature, maintaining particle shape while avoiding the high energy input required by solid-state reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables high mass productivity and economic efficiency by stabilizing the regeneration process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, restoring the desired lithium composition without needing precise lithium composition analysis, and allowing for reuse of the regeneration solution.

Implementation Method 1

a regeneration solution of a spent secondary battery cathode material including p-type redox molecules, a solvent, and a lithium salt, in which the p-type redox molecules have a reduction potential that is higher than or equal to 1.55 volt (V) and lower than or equal to 3.7 V with respect to a reduction potential of lithium (vs Li/Li+)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20240421372A1Spent secondary battery cathode regeneration solution and cathode regeneration method using the same

Publication Date: 2024.12.19 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided are a regeneration solution of a spent secondary battery cathode material, the regeneration solution including p-type redox molecules, a solvent, and a lithium salt, in which the p-type redox molecules have a reduction potential that is higher than or equal to 1.55 volt (V) and lower than or equal to 3.7 V with respect to a reduction potential (vs Li/Li+) of lithium, a method of regenerating a cathode material and a regenerated cathode material using this, and a method of recycling the regeneration solution.