Low Temperature Lithium Production via Non-Aqueous Electrolysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithium production methods, such as molten-salt electrolysis, require high temperatures and result in impure lithium metal with high energy consumption and environmental impact, making it unsuitable for battery applications without additional purification steps.
Innovation Solution
A low-temperature electrolysis process using a non-aqueous electrolyte composition of phenyl trihaloalkyl sulfone and cation bis(perhaloalkylsulfonyl)imide, with a lithium compound like LiOH or Li2CO3, in a specific weight ratio, to produce lithium metal with purity greater than 95% directly on the cathode without subsequent purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If molten-salt electrolysis is used to produce lithium metal, then lithium production is achieved, but high temperatures (352°C) are required resulting in high energy consumption and impure lithium metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the electrolysis system by using a non-aqueous electrolyte (acetonitrile with lithium salts) instead of molten salt, enabling the process to operate at room temperature (20-25°C) rather than high temperatures (352°C), while simultaneously achieving high purity lithium metal (greater than 95 wt.%) without additional purification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (acetonitrile solvent with lithium salts forming a conductive electrolyte solution) that enables lithium ion transport and deposition at low temperatures, replacing the traditional molten salt medium and allowing controlled electrolysis at room temperature to produce high purity lithium
2Productivity
If molten-salt electrolysis is used to produce lithium metal, then lithium production is achieved, but high energy consumption is required due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the operating temperature parameter from high temperature (352°C molten salt) to room temperature (20-25°C aqueous electrolyte), dramatically reducing the energy input required for heating and maintaining the electrolysis process while maintaining high lithium production efficiency through controlled electrolysis at lower energy costs
3Temperature
If conventional electrolysis at room temperature is used, then low temperature operation is achieved, but lithium metal contains impurities requiring subsequent purification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the electrolyte composition parameters by using specific concentrations of lithium salts (0.5-2.0 M LiCl, LiBr, or LiI in acetonitrile) and controlling the electrolysis conditions to achieve selective deposition of high purity lithium metal (greater than 95 wt.%) at room temperature, eliminating the need for subsequent purification steps that would otherwise be required
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 process effectively produces lithium metal with high purity suitable for battery applications at temperatures below 100°C, eliminating the need for additional purification steps and reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A non-aqueous electrolyte composition is provided by combining phenyl trihaloalkyl sulfone and a cation bis(perhaloalkylsulfonyl)imide, a cation bis(perhaloalkylsulfonyl)imidic acid, a cation bis(halosulfonyl)imide, or a cation bis(halosulfonyl)imidic acid
Implementation Method 2
Power is applied to the anode and cathode to form lithium metal on the cathode of the electrolysis cell
Data Source
AI summary
A method and electrolysis cell for producing lithium metal at a low temperature. The method includes combining (i) phenyl trihaloalkyl sulfone and (ii) an inorganic cation bis(perhaloalkylsulfonyl)imide, an inorganic cation bis(halosulfonyl)imide, an inorganic cation bis(perhaloalkylsulfonyl)imidic acid, or an inorganic cation bis(halosulfonyl)imidic acid in a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) about 10:90 to about 60:40 to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte composition. A lithium compound selected from the group consisting of LiOH, Li2O and Li2CO3 is dissolved in the electrolyte composition to provide a soluble lithium doped electrolyte composition. Power is applied to the electrolyte composition to form lithium metal on a cathode of an electrolysis cell. The lithium metal is separated from the cathode has a purity of at least about 95 wt. %.