IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,255,282
Granted Patent B2
US 12,255,282 · App. 17/690,835 · Granted Mar 18, 2025

Lithium metal recovery and synthesis

Inventors: Patricia Anne Ignacio de Leon (Westmont, IL); John N. Hryn (Hawthorn Woods, IL); Li Tang (Bolingbrook, IL); Edward F. Barry (Chicago, IL); Daniel Yoav Arenas (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
H01M10/0561C25C1/02H01M10/052C22B26/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,255,282
App. No.
17/690,835
Granted
Mar 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A process and system for creating a lithium ion anolyte from lithium alloys. Metal and lithium alloys are processed to remove the metal with lithium from the alloy remaining. A lithium ion anolyte formed may be used in a process to form lithium metal. Alternatively, a process and system for recovering lithium from sources such as lithium alloys and lithium metal oxides and other feedstock such as recycled batteries into a thin lithium metal film via electrodeposition in an organic electrolyte contacting both anode (holder for lithium source) and cathode (substrate for lithium deposition) in a single-compartment electrolysis cell.

Claims (15)

1. A method of producing a lithium metal from a lithium-metal alloy feedstock, the method comprising:

removing the lithium-metal alloy feedstock from a battery, the lithium-metal alloy feedstock comprising a cathode material or an anode material;

placing the lithium-metal alloy feedstock in a porous anode container, the lithium-metal alloy selected from a group consisting of lithium-aluminum (Li—Al), lithium-tin (Li—Sn), lithium-antimony (Li—Sb), lithium-bismuth (Li—Bi), lithium-silicon (Li—Si), lithium-gold (Li—Au), lithium-mercury (Li—Hg), lithium-thallium (Li—Tl), lithium lead (Li—Pb), lithium-aluminum-copper (Li—Al—Cu), lithium tin oxide, lithium iron oxide (LFP), lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium copper oxide, lithium chromium oxides, and lithium manganese oxides;

contacting the lithium-metal alloy feedstock with electrolyte, forming a cell comprising the anode, lithium feedstock, and a cathode in communication with a galvanostat source;

applying a current to an electrolytic cell;

flowing electrons from the anode to the cathode;

reducing lithium cations at the cathode; and

depositing lithium metal on the cathode;

wherein the electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the porous anode container is platinum or aluminum.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lithium salt is selected from a group consisting of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 ), lithium perchlorate (LiClO 4 ), lithium bisfluorosulfonimide (“LFSI”), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF 4 ), and mixtures thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the organic solvent is selected from a group consisting of acetonitrile (MeCN), dimethyl carbonate (“DMC”), ethyl methyl carbonate (“EMC”), ethylene carbonate (“EC”) and propylene carbonate (“PC”).

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the electrolyte comprises 1 molar lithium ions.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the current to the electrolytic cell comprises applying a current density of about 1 mA/cm 2 to about 10 mA/cm 2 .

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein depositing the lithium metal on the cathode is conducted in an ambient environment and the method further comprises, after depositing the lithium metal on the cathode, dipping the lithium metal in a non-evaporating organic solvent.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded May 11, 2022
From: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 059890/0318 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: HYRN, JOHN N.; ARENAS, DANIEL; BARRY, EDWARD F.; TANG, LI; IGNACIO-DE LEON, PATRICIA
To: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
Reel/Frame 059214/0567 →
Continuity (2)
Division 16145364 · Sep 28, 2018
Related Publication 20220200042A1 · Jun 23, 2022
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