Lithium Enrichment Electrolyte Circuit for Uniform Electrode Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enriching substrates with alkali metals, such as lithium, face challenges in achieving uniform deposition and are costly due to the need for expensive lithium salts and the formation of corrosive and degrading products, particularly in roll-to-roll processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an electrolysis chamber with a cathode and an anode, where alkali metal is oxidized and dissolved in an electrolyte, allowing for efficient and cost-effective enrichment of substrates using a partner substance that oxidizes the alkali metal, preventing field distribution changes and allowing for continuous operation without consuming conductive salts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lithium is deposited electrochemically on the electrode using a soluble lithium anode, then the enrichment process is cost-effective, but uniform deposition of lithium ions becomes difficult due to changing field distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate chambers: a reservoir chamber containing the soluble lithium anode and electrolyte, and a deposition chamber containing the substrate. This segmentation isolates the field distribution changes in the reservoir chamber from the deposition chamber, allowing uniform lithium deposition on the substrate while maintaining cost-effective use of soluble lithium anode material.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane separates the reservoir chamber from the deposition chamber, acting as an intermediary that allows lithium ions to pass through while preventing the bulk electrolyte and soluble anode material from mixing. This enables the field distribution to change in the reservoir chamber without directly affecting the uniformity of deposition in the deposition chamber.
2Manufacturing precision
If inert anode systems with lithium salts are used, then uniform distribution of lithium ions is achieved, but costs increase due to expensive salts and continuous recharging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The soluble lithium anode in the reservoir chamber automatically replenishes lithium ions in the electrolyte through oxidation reactions, eliminating the need for external recharging of expensive lithium salts. The system self-regulates the lithium ion concentration, maintaining uniform distribution while using low-cost soluble anode material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inexpensive soluble lithium anode material that can be continuously consumed and replenished in the reservoir chamber, replacing the need for expensive inert anode systems with lithium salts. The low-cost anode material is sacrificed to generate lithium ions, which are then deposited uniformly on the substrate.
3Productivity
If lithium chloride is used as salt in gamma-butyrolactone, then the enrichment process can proceed, but chlorine is formed at the anode which degrades the solvent and requires continuous purification
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful chlorine-generating reaction is extracted and isolated in the reservoir chamber, separated from the deposition chamber where the substrate is enriched. The chlorine produced in the reservoir chamber does not come into contact with the gamma-butyrolactone in the deposition chamber, preventing degradation while allowing continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The chlorine produced at the anode in the reservoir chamber is converted from a harmful byproduct into a useful oxidizing agent that regenerates the soluble lithium anode material. This transforms the harmful chlorine evolution reaction into a beneficial process that maintains continuous supply of lithium ions without degrading the electrolyte in the deposition chamber.
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 method enables uniform and efficient enrichment of substrates with alkali metals, reducing costs and minimizing degradation products, while maintaining a stable field distribution and allowing for continuous operation without the need for expensive lithium salts.
Implementation Method 1
Alkali metal, in particular lithium, disposed in the reservoir vessel, is oxidized and dissolved in the electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
A substrate used as cathode in the electrolysis chamber is enriched with the dissolved alkali metal
Implementation Method 3
A substrate used as cathode in the electrolysis chamber is enriched with the dissolved alkali metal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for enriching a substrate with an alkali metal, in particular lithium, a method for using an enriched substrate as an electrode in a battery, and an electrolyte, are provided. The electrolyte is guided in a circuit through an electrolysis chamber having an anode and a cathode and through a reservoir vessel, for enrichment purposes. Alkali metal disposed in the reservoir vessel is oxidized and dissolved in the electrolyte. The substrate used as a cathode in the electrolysis chamber is enriched with the dissolved alkali metal.