Separating Solid Electrolyte and Cathode Material Using Fluorine Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
High viscosity and solid content concentration in slurries containing solid electrolytes and cathode active materials make it difficult to handle and separate these components efficiently for recycling valuable substances like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, with some solid electrolytes being reactive to polar substances like water.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adding a fluorine-based solvent, such as a perfluoroalkane, to the slurry to separate the solid electrolyte and cathode active material based on density and chemical properties, where the fluorine-based solvent has no hydrocarbon group and is incompatible with the existing solvent, allowing for easy separation and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a slurry with high solid content concentration is used to form cathode mixture layers, then the efficiency of valuable substance recycling is improved, but the handling difficulty increases due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the slurry by controlling the solid content concentration within a specific range (5-50 wt%, preferably 10-30 wt%) and adjusting viscosity parameters to achieve optimal handling properties while maintaining recycling efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between high productivity and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If water or polar substances are used to separate solid electrolyte from cathode active material, then the separation efficiency is improved, but harmful reactions occur generating hydrogen sulfide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-aqueous solvents (such as esters, ethers, or hydrocarbons) to create an inert separation environment that prevents harmful reactions with sulfide-based solid electrolytes. This inert environment eliminates hydrogen sulfide generation while maintaining effective separation capability through density differences and solubility characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the slurry remains inside piping for extended periods, then transportation flexibility is improved, but material degradation increases due to high viscosity and reactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary separation of the solid electrolyte from the cathode active material slurry before extended storage or transportation. By separating the reactive components in advance, the system prevents material degradation during storage while maintaining transportation flexibility for both separated components under appropriate conditions.
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 facilitates the easy separation and recycling of solid electrolytes and cathode active materials by dissolving the dispersion in the slurry, enabling the reuse of both the fluorine-based solvent and the original solvent, while avoiding reactions with the solid electrolyte that could generate hydrogen sulfide.
Implementation Method 1
dissolves dispersion in the slurry, which makes it possible to easily separate the solid electrolyte and the cathode active material using the difference in density
Implementation Method 2
adding a fluorine-based solvent to the slurry containing a solid electrolyte and a cathode active material
Implementation Method 3
avoiding reactions with the solid electrolyte that could generate hydrogen sulfide
Data Source
AI summary
A method of easily separating a solid electrolyte and a cathode active material which are contained in a slurry is disclosed. The method of separating a solid electrolyte and a cathode active material which are contained in a slurry includes: adding a fluorine-based solvent to the slurry containing the solid electrolyte and the cathode active material, the cathode active material containing at least one selected from nickel, cobalt and manganese as a constituent element.