回收废锂离子电池中贵金属元素的研究进展

随着电力储能需求的激增,大量投入市场的锂离子电池在废弃时面临回收率低下的问题。废弃锂电池中锂、钴等贵金属作为战略性资源,存在短缺风险,对其提取并回收在减少环境污染的同时具有显著经济意义。湿法冶金工艺因其低能耗污染等优势,在回收锂电池贵金属的研究中应用广泛。本文在阐述锂电池结构的基础上,从浸出液、预处理等方面对工艺与机制进行深入分析,并简述以生物浸出液为主的生物湿法冶金作用机制与影响因素。此外,火法冶金技术在锂电池回收方面发展势头迅猛,文章归纳近期新兴工艺与回收机理。最后,总结现阶段工艺回收废锂离子电池中贵金属的局限,对未来技术升级进行展望,旨在促进贵金属回收进程,助力实现国家“双碳”目标。     

Direct reuse of LiFePO4 cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries: Extracting Li from brine

Due to the serious imbalance between demand and supply of lithium, lithium extraction from brine has become a research hotspot. With the demand for power lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) increased rapidly, a large number of spent LiFePO₄ power batteries have been scrapped and entered the recycling stage. Herein, a novel and efficient strategy is proposed to extract lithium from brine by directly reusing spent LiFePO₄ powder without any treatment. Various electrochemical test results show that spent LiFePO₄ electrode has appropriate lithium capacity (14.62 mg_Li/g_LiFePO4), excellent separation performance (α_Li-Na = 210.5) and low energy consumption (0.768 Wh/g_Li) in electrochemical lithium extraction from simulated brine. This work not only provides a novel idea for lithium extraction from brine, but also develops an effective strategy for recycling spent LIBs. The concept of from waste to wealth is of great significance to the development of recycling the spent batteries.     

Benign Recycling of Spent Batteries towards All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one of the most significant energy storage devices applied in power supply facilities. However, a huge number of spent LIBs would bring harmful resource waste and environmental hazards. In this study, a benign hydrometallurgical method using phytic acid as precipitant is proposed to recover useful metallic Mn ions from spent LiMn₂O₄ batteries. Besides Mn-based cathodes, this recovery process is also applicable for other commercial batteries. More importantly, for the first time, the as-obtained manganous complex is employed as a nanofiller in a polyethylene oxide matrix to largely improve Li⁺ conductivity and transference number. As a result, when applied in all-solid-state lithium batteries, high capacity and outstanding cyclic stability are achieved with capacity retention of 86.4 % after 60 cycles at 0.1 C. The recovery of spent lithium batteries not only has benefits for the environment and resources, but also shows great potential application in all-solid-state lithium batteries, which opens up a costless and efficient circulation pathway for clean and reliable energy storage systems.     

Lithium ion battery production

Recently, new materials and chemistry for lithium ion batteries have been developed. There is a great emphasis on electrification in the transport sector replacing part of motor powered engines with battery powered applications. There are plans both to increase energy efficiency and to reduce the overall need for consumption of non-renewable liquid fuels. Even more significant applications are dependent on energy storage. Materials needed for battery applications require specially made high quality products.Diminishing amounts of easily minable metal ores increase the consumption of separation and purification energy and chemicals. The metals are likely to be increasingly difficult to process. Iron, manganese, lead, zinc, lithium, aluminium, and nickel are still relatively abundant but many metals like cobalt and rare earths are becoming limited resources more rapidly.The global capacity of industrial-scale production of larger lithium ion battery cells may become a limiting factor in the near future if plans for even partial electrification of vehicles or energy storage visions are realized. The energy capacity needed is huge and one has to be reminded that in terms of cars for example production of 100 MWh equals the need of 3000 full-electric cars. Consequently annual production capacity of 10⁶ cars requires 100 factories each with a 300 MWh capacity. Present day lithium ion batteries have limitations but significant improvements have been achieved recently [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]. The main challenges of lithium ion batteries are related to material deterioration, operating temperatures, energy and power output, and lifetime. Increased lifetime combined with a higher recycling rate of battery materials is essential for a sustainable battery industry.     

The recent advances in constructing designed electrode in lithium metal batteries

In this review, we focus on the design of lithium electrode and its recent advancements, which suppress the growth of lithium dendrites and improve the performance of the rechargeable batteries. To suppress the growth of lithium dendrites, the general design rules of the system require a uniform lithium ion flux, a low current density, a homogeneous nucleation process and a stable SEI layer. Improvements of the battery performance have been achieved through the delicate design of lithium electrode and here they are summarized into three groups:i) optimizing the 3D porous nanostructure of the current collector, ii) constructing rational host for lithium metal and prelithiating the 3D host matrix with molten lithium, iii) protecting the surface of lithium metal by functional layers. An outlook of the challenges and the potentials of lithium metal battery is also provided, which will facilitate the future development of lithium metal battery.     

铈锌液流电池的研究进展

铈锌氧化还原液流电池与其它液流电池相比,具有电压高、原材料资源丰富和价格便宜等优点,在储能方面具有很大的应用发展潜力。 本文总结了铈锌液流电池的研究进展,特别是对电解液的发展进行了重点总结,并指出了今后铈锌液流电池研究的发展方向。     

From Lithium‐Ion to Sodium‐Ion Batteries: Advantages,Challenges, and Surprises

Mobile and stationary energy storage by rechargeable batteries is a topic of broad societal and economical relevance. Lithium‐ion battery (LIB) technology is at the forefront of the development, but a massively growing market will likely put severe pressure on resources and supply chains. Recently, sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have been reconsidered with the aim of providing a lower‐cost alternative that is less susceptible to resource and supply risks. On paper, the replacement of lithium by sodium in a battery seems straightforward at first, but unpredictable surprises are often found in practice. What happens when replacing lithium by sodium in electrode reactions? This review provides a state‐of‐the art overview on the redox behavior of materials when used as electrodes in lithium‐ion and sodium‐ion batteries, respectively. Advantages and challenges related to the use of sodium instead of lithium are discussed.     

Quaternary nitrogen redox centers for battery materials

Rechargeable batteries using redox-active organics as the electrode material have been proposed to be a promising alternative to lessen the reliance on unrenewable resources and to broaden the chemistry of current battery technology. However, organic materials, particularly for the battery cathode, are encountered with unsatisfactory stability and relatively low redox potential compared with the inorganic counterparts. This review introduces some recent advances of redox-active organics based on quaternary nitrogen redox centers with a focus on molecular design. The challenges and possible solutions are also introduced from the perspective of cell chemistry.     

Biological Nicotinamide Cofactor as a Redox‐Active Motif for Reversible Electrochemical Energy Storage

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is one of the most well‐known redox cofactors carrying electrons. Now, it is reported that the intrinsically charged NAD⁺ motif can serve as an active electrode in electrochemical lithium cells. By anchoring the NAD⁺ motif by the anion incorporation, redox activity of the NAD⁺ is successfully implemented in conventional batteries, exhibiting the average voltage of 2.3 V. The operating voltage and capacity are tunable by altering the anchoring anion species without modifying the redox center itself. This work not only demonstrates the redox capability of NAD⁺, but also suggests that anchoring the charged molecules with anion incorporation is a viable new approach to exploit various charged biological cofactors in rechargeable battery systems.     

Redox targeting of energy materials

The redox-mediated electrochemical–chemical process, when it involves the redox-targeting reaction with energy materials, has shown intriguing potential for various energy-related applications. This review starts with a brief discussion on the evolution of redox-targeting reactions for high-energy redox-flow batteries and the critical future studies for large-scale energy storage. Then, with spatially decoupled water electrolysis as an example, the merits of redox-targeting reaction by liberating the catalyst from electrode surface are highlighted, followed by an introduction of redox targeting–based thermal-to-electrical conversion. We have also featured various redox-targeting processes in other fields of study, such as electrochromic window, redox catalysis, and spent battery material recycling. Overall, this review attempts to demonstrate the incredible versatility and prospects of redox-targeting process for energy-related applications.     

An odyssey of lithium metal anode in liquid lithium–sulfur batteries

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries exhibit outstanding energy density and material sustainability. Enormous effects have been devoted to the sulfur cathode to address redox kinetics and polysulfide intermediates shuttle. Recent attentions are gradually turning to the protection of the lithium metal anodes, since electrochemical performances of Li–S batteries are closely linked to the working efficiency of the anode side, especially in pouch cells that adopt stringent test protocols. This Perspective article summarizes critical issues encountered in the lithium metal anode, and outlines possible solutions to achieve efficient working lithium anode in Li–S batteries. The lithium metal anode in Li–S batteries shares the common failure mechanisms of volume fluctuation, nonuniform lithium flux, electrolyte corrosion and lithium pulverization occurring in lithium metal batteries with oxide cathodes, and also experiences unique polysulfide corrosion and massive lithium accumulation. These issues can be partially addressed by developing three-dimensional scaffold, exerting quasi-solid reaction, tailoring native solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and designing artificial SEI. The practical evaluation of Li–S batteries highlights the importance of pouch cell platform, which is distinguished from coin-type cells in terms of lean electrolyte-to-sulfur ratio, thin lithium foil, as well as sizable total capacity and current that are loaded on pouch cells. This Perspective underlines the development of practically efficient working lithium metal anode in Li–S batteries.     

An Organodiselenide Comediator to Facilitate Sulfur Redox Kinetics in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries with Encapsulating Lithium Polysulfide Electrolyte

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are regarded as promising high-energy-density energy storage devices. However, the cycling stability of Li–S batteries is restricted by the parasitic reactions between Li metal anodes and soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Encapsulating LiPS electrolyte (EPSE) can efficiently suppress the parasitic reactions but inevitably sacrifices the cathode sulfur redox kinetics. To address the above dilemma, a redox comediation strategy for EPSE is proposed to realize high-energy-density and long-cycling Li–S batteries. Concretely, dimethyl diselenide (DMDSe) is employed as an efficient redox comediator to facilitate the sulfur redox kinetics in Li–S batteries with EPSE. DMDSe enhances the liquid–liquid and liquid–solid conversion kinetics of LiPS in EPSE while maintains the ability to alleviate the anode parasitic reactions from LiPSs. Consequently, a Li–S pouch cell with a high energy density of 359 Wh kg⁻¹ at cell level and stable 37 cycles is realized. This work provides an effective redox comediation strategy for EPSE to simultaneously achieve high energy density and long cycling stability in Li–S batteries and inspires rational integration of multi-strategies for practical working batteries.     

Research Progress toward Room Temperature Sodium Sulfur Batteries: A Review

Lithium metal batteries have achieved large-scale application, but still have limitations such as poor safety performance and high cost, and limited lithium resources limit the production of lithium batteries. The construction of these devices is also hampered by limited lithium supplies. Therefore, it is particularly important to find alternative metals for lithium replacement. Sodium has the properties of rich in content, low cost and ability to provide high voltage, which makes it an ideal substitute for lithium. Sulfur-based materials have attributes of high energy density, high theoretical specific capacity and are easily oxidized. They may be used as cathodes matched with sodium anodes to form a sodium-sulfur battery. Traditional sodium-sulfur batteries are used at a temperature of about 300 °C. In order to solve problems associated with flammability, explosiveness and energy loss caused by high-temperature use conditions, most research is now focused on the development of room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries. Regardless of safety performance or energy storage performance, room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries have great potential as next-generation secondary batteries. This article summarizes the working principle and existing problems for room temperature sodium-sulfur battery, and summarizes the methods necessary to solve key scientific problems to improve the comprehensive energy storage performance of sodium-sulfur battery from four aspects: cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator.     

废旧动力锂电池回收利用技术的进展

简要介绍了动力锂电池的分类和回收利用流程,综述了国内外动力锂电池的化学、物理和联合回收工艺发展的现状,通过对比了各种回收工艺的特点,指出联合回收工艺是将来发展方向。     

Density Functional Theory Study of Selectivity of Crown Ethers to Li+ in Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Leaching Solutions

It is a challenge to recover lithium from the leaching solution of spent lithium-ion batteries, and crown ethers are potential extractants due to their selectivity to alkali metal ions. The theoretical calculations for the selectivity of crown ethers with different structures to Li ions in aqueous solutions were carried out based on the density functional theory. The calculated results of geometries, binding energies, and thermodynamic parameters show that 15C5 has the strongest selectivity to Li ions in the three crown ethers of 12C4, 15C5, and 18C6. B15C5 has a smaller binding energy but more negative free energy than 15C5 when combined with Li⁺, leading to that the lithium ions in aqueous solutions will combine with B15C5 rather than 15C5. The exchange reactions between B15C5 and hydrated Li⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were analyzed and the results show that B15C5 is more likely to capture Li⁺ from the hydrated ions in an aqueous solution containing Li⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺. This study indicates that it is feasible to extract Li ions selectively using B15C5 as an extractant from the leaching solution of spent lithium-ion batteries.     

Selective Separation of Lithium,Magnesium and Calcium using 4-Phosphoryl Pyrazolones as pH-Regulated Receptors

Ensuring continuous and sustainable lithium supply requires the development of highly efficient separation processes such as LLE (liquid-liquid extraction) for both primary sources and certain waste streams. In this work, 4-phosphoryl pyrazolones are used in an efficient pH-controlled stepwise separation of Li⁺ from Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺. The factors affecting LLE process, such as the substitution pattern of the extractant, diluent/water distribution, co-ligand, pH, and speciation of the metal complexes involved, were systematically investigated. The maximum extraction efficiency of Li⁺ at pH 6.0 was 94 % when Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were previously separated at pH<5.0, proving that the separation of these ions is possible by simply modulating the pH of the aqueous phase. Our study points a way to separation of lithium from acid brine or from spent lithium ion battery leaching solutions, which supports the future supply of lithium in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.     

Lithium‐Ionen‐Technologie und was danach kommen könnte

The efficient and effective storage of electrical energy with batteries is key for sustainable energy supply and emission free mobility. At present, lithium ion technology is the “best” high energy density battery and the first choice for use in electric vehicle applications, whereas for stationary storage of electricity a large number of battery technologies, including lithium ion batteries (LIB) , are in competition to each other. Even though the LIB is one step ahead of other battery technologies at the moment, this race is still open. Several new battery chemistries, such as lithium/sulfur, metal/air, sodium, magnesium and dual ion battery technologies are discussed as replacement or complementary technologies to lithium ion. The hope for improved and better battery technologies of the future is still high.     

Emerging Lithiated Organic Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Full Batteries

Organic electrode materials have application potential in lithium batteries owing to their high capacity, abundant resources, and structural designability. However, most reported organic cathodes are at oxidized states (namely unlithiated compounds) and thus need to couple with Li-rich anodes. In contrast, lithiated organic cathode materials could act as a Li reservoir and match with Li-free anodes such as graphite, showing great promise for practical full-battery applications. Here we summarize the synthesis, stability, and battery applications of lithiated organic cathode materials, including synthetic methods, stability against O₂ and H₂O in air, and strategies to improve comprehensive electrochemical performance. Future research should be focused on new redox chemistries and the construction of full batteries with lithiated organic cathodes and commercial anodes under practical conditions. This Minireview will encourage more efforts on lithiated organic cathode materials and finally promote their commercialization.     

Elastic and Wearable Wire‐Shaped Lithium‐Ion Battery with High Electrochemical Performance

A stretchable wire‐shaped lithium‐ion battery is produced from two aligned multi‐walled carbon nanotube/lithium oxide composite yarns as the anode and cathode without extra current collectors and binders. The two composite yarns can be well paired to obtain a safe battery with superior electrochemical properties, such as energy densities of 27 Wh kg^?1 or 17.7 mWh cm^?3 and power densities of 880 W kg^?1 or 0.56 W cm^?3, which are an order of magnitude higher than the densities reported for lithium thin‐film batteries. These wire‐shaped batteries are flexible and light, and 97 % of their capacity was maintained after 1000 bending cycles. They are also very elastic as they are based on a modified spring structure, and 84 % of the capacity was maintained after stretching for 200 cycles at a strain of 100 %. Furthermore, these novel wire‐shaped batteries have been woven into lightweight, flexible, and stretchable battery textiles, which reveals possible large‐scale applications.     

A Membrane‐Free Redox Flow Battery with Two Immiscible Redox Electrolytes

Flexible and scalable energy storage solutions are necessary for mitigating fluctuations of renewable energy sources. The main advantage of redox flow batteries is their ability to decouple power and energy. However, they present some limitations including poor performance, short‐lifetimes, and expensive ion‐selective membranes as well as high price, toxicity, and scarcity of vanadium compounds. We report a membrane‐free battery that relies on the immiscibility of redox electrolytes and where vanadium is replaced by organic molecules. We show that the biphasic system formed by one acidic solution and one ionic liquid, both containing quinoyl species, behaves as a reversible battery without any membrane. This proof‐of‐concept of a membrane‐free battery has an open circuit voltage of 1.4 V with a high theoretical energy density of 22.5 Wh L⁻¹, and is able to deliver 90 % of its theoretical capacity while showing excellent long‐term performance (coulombic efficiency of 100 % and energy efficiency of 70 %).