Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Electrochemical Lithium Salt Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering lithium from lithium ion batteries are inefficient and costly, leading to environmental contamination and waste of resources.
Innovation Solution
Dissolving lithium salts in ionic liquids and applying a current to deposit lithium onto an electrode, using nonaqueous acids and specific ionic liquids to achieve high lithium concentrations and stable electrochemical conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used for lithium recovery, then the process is simpler, but the efficiency is low and costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from conventional aqueous or organic solvents to ionic liquids, enabling high lithium ion concentration (up to 7 M) and improving recovery efficiency. The ionic liquid medium allows for better lithium ion solvation and electrochemical stability, directly addressing the productivity improvement while managing process complexity through systematic parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrolyte systems combining ionic liquids with lithium salts (e.g., LiTFSI, LiPF6) to create a specialized medium for high-efficiency lithium recovery. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high lithium concentration, good ionic conductivity, and electrochemical stability, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of lithium ions are dissolved in ionic liquid, then lithium recovery efficiency improves, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically optimizes the concentration parameter of lithium salts in ionic liquids, achieving up to 7 M lithium ion concentration. This parameter change enables high recovery efficiency while the systematic approach to optimization manages the associated process complexity through controlled variable adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ionic liquids that replicate the beneficial properties of conventional electrolytes while enabling higher lithium concentrations. The ionic liquid medium copies the essential function of solvating lithium ions but does so more effectively, allowing high concentration without proportionally increasing process complexity.
3Productivity
If ionic liquids are used for lithium dissolution, then lithium recovery efficiency improves, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of lithium salts in ionic liquids to achieve high recovery efficiency. By systematically adjusting parameters such as lithium salt type (LiTFSI, LiPF6), concentration (up to 7 M), and ionic liquid composition, the process achieves high productivity while managing costs through efficient parameter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ionic liquids that serve multiple functions: solvating lithium ions at high concentrations, providing electrochemical stability, and enabling efficient lithium deposition. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional process steps or materials, thereby managing manufacturing costs while achieving high recovery efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional electrolytes are used, then the process is simpler to implement, but lithium ion concentration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the electrolyte parameter from conventional aqueous or organic electrolytes to ionic liquids. This parameter change enables lithium ion concentrations up to 7 M, dramatically increasing the quantity of substance while the systematic development of ionic liquid electrolyte systems manages the associated complexity.
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
Enables the recovery of high concentrations of lithium ions, up to 7 M, as lithium metal, hydride, or hydroxide, providing an efficient and economical method for lithium recovery.
Implementation Method 1
dissolving the lithium salt in ionic liquids
Implementation Method 2
applying a potential to the ionic liquid composition to deposit lithium onto an electrode
Implementation Method 3
applying a current to the solution
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods for recovering lithium metal, lithium hydride, or lithium hydroxide from lithium salts by dissolving the lithium salt in ionic liquids and applying a current to the solution.