Lithium Metal Oxide Precursor for Impurity-Tolerant Battery Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recycling cobalt and other metals from lithium-ion batteries are inefficient due to low tolerance to impurities, long reaction times, and the use of hazardous chemicals, making them unsuitable for scalable and sustainable recycling.
Innovation Solution
A compound of Formula I, [Li(dicarboxylate)]2[M1mM2nM3k(OH)pXq], is synthesized as a precursor for lithium metal oxide, which can be used to recover metals from various sources, including used batteries, with high yields and tolerance to impurities, forming a crystalline solid that is easy to recover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known methods for extracting metals from batteries are used, then metal recovery can be achieved, but the methods have low tolerance to impurities and require long reaction times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by using a basic environment (NaOH or KOH) combined with specific chelating agents (oxalic acid, citric acid, or EDTA) at controlled temperatures (60-100°C). This parameter optimization enables high-yield metal extraction within 2-6 hours while maintaining tolerance to impurities, directly resolving the contradiction between recovery efficiency and reaction time.
2Productivity
If strong acids and corrosive chemicals are used for metal extraction, then metal recovery can be achieved, but the methods destroy conventional reactors and require many steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful strong acid extraction process into a beneficial basic environment process. By using NaOH or KOH with chelating agents, the method achieves effective metal extraction without the corrosive damage to reactors and unnecessary process steps associated with strong acids, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining high productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If known recycling methods are used, then metal extraction can be performed, but they have low yielding and are not scalable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal extraction system that can handle various battery types and metal compositions (Li, Co, Mn, Ni) using the same basic reagent combination (base + chelating agent). This multi-functional approach achieves high yields (>95% for Li, >90% for Co, Mn, Ni) and is readily scalable to industrial production, resolving both the yield and scalability concerns simultaneously.
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 method achieves high yields (>95%) and forms a crystalline solid that is easy to purify, making it a scalable and sustainable approach for metal recovery from lithium-ion batteries, while also being tolerant to impurities and operating under milder conditions compared to existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a first step comprising heating a first reaction mixture comprising a source of the metal or metals, M1, M2 and M3; a source of a dicarboxylate ions such as a dicarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylate salt or a mixture thereof; lithium ions; and a base at a first reaction temperature for a first reaction time
Implementation Method 2
heating a first reaction mixture comprising a source of the metal or metals, M1, M2 and M3; a source of a dicarboxylate ions such as a dicarboxylic acid, a dicarboxylate salt or a mixture thereof; lithium ions; and a base at a first reaction temperature for a first reaction time to form the compound of Formula I
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compound of Formula I, Li(ox)]2[MlmM2nM3k(OH)pFq; wherein M1, M2 and M3 are metals; and X is a halogen chosen from F, Cl and Br; and m, n and k are, independently, a number between 0 and 5, the sum of m, n and k is 5; p and q are, independently, a number between 0 and 8, and the sum of p and q is 8; and to uses thereof and methods of synthesis thereof.