Electrode Relithiation With Solvent Cleaning for Battery Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lithium-ion battery recycling methods, such as pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes, are energy-intensive, costly, and environmentally problematic, particularly due to the use of toxic solvents, and do not effectively address the loss of lithium ions from the solid electrolyte interface, limiting the reuse of high-energy density anode materials like silicon.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the removal, treatment, and recasting of lithium-ion battery electrodes using solvents like acetone, followed by electrochemical relithiation within a roll-to-roll device, where a voltage is applied to motivate lithium ions to reinsert into the electrode, thereby rejuvenating the battery material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical recycling methods are used, then battery materials can be recovered, but the process becomes energy-intensive and environmentally harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer from the electrode surface using solvent treatment. This extraction approach eliminates the need for energy-intensive pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical processing while recovering lithium ions trapped in the SEI layer, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving lithium ion retention simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solvent as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of SEI layer and recovery of lithium ions. This intermediary approach enables gentle chemical treatment instead of high-energy thermal or acidic processes, reducing energy consumption while effectively recovering lithium ions from the electrode material
2Loss of substance
If pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical recycling methods are used, then battery materials can be recovered, but toxic solvents and environmentally problematic extractive solvents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer from the electrode surface using solvent treatment. This extraction approach eliminates the need for energy-intensive pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical processing while recovering lithium ions trapped in the SEI layer, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving lithium ion retention simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solvent as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of SEI layer and recovery of lithium ions. This intermediary approach enables gentle chemical treatment instead of high-energy thermal or acidic processes, reducing energy consumption while effectively recovering lithium ions from the electrode material
3Reliability
If conventional recycling methods are used, then battery materials can be processed, but the electrochemical performance of recycled electrodes is not significantly improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary solvent treatment to remove SEI layer and restore electrode surface chemistry before relithiation. This preliminary action prepares the electrode for effective relithiation by eliminating surface contaminants and creating favorable conditions for lithium ion reinsertion, thereby significantly improving electrochemical performance with a relatively simple added step
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-service approach where the electrode itself serves as the source of lithium ions through relithiation. By removing SEI and enabling lithium ion diffusion from the electrode bulk or external lithium source, the system restores the electrode's own lithium content without requiring complex external processing, improving performance while maintaining process simplicity
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
This approach enables cost-effective and resource-efficient recycling of lithium-ion batteries by significantly improving the electrochemical performance of recycled electrodes, achieving capacity recovery up to 174% compared to unwashed and unreliated electrodes, while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
providing a voltage to the layer of lithium, wherein a terminal is configured to provide the voltage, the voltage is configured to motivate at least one lithium ion to move from the layer of lithium, through the electrolyte solution, and to the electrode
Implementation Method 2
the treating includes exposing the portion of the electrode to a solvent. In some embodiments, the solvent includes a ketone. In some embodiments, the ketone includes acetone. In some embodiments, the exposing includes at least one of sonicating, stirring, or soaking the portion of the electrode in the solvent
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, the present disclosure relates to re-purposing used lithium-ion batteries. The present disclosure includes treating an electrode using a solvent prior to electrochemically relithiating the electrode. In some embodiments, the relithiation may be done using a roll-to-roll device, wherein the electrode may be secured on a first pin and a second pin, then it may be unwound and submerged in an electrolyte solution. Lithium ions may be inserted into the electrode using a voltage. The layer of lithium may provide lithium ions to the electrode.