Risk analysis of lithium battery negative electrode materials

Is lithium a good negative electrode material for rechargeable batteries?

Lithium (Li) metal is widely recognized as a highly promising negative electrode material for next-generation high-energy-density rechargeable batteries due to its exceptional specific capacity (3860 mAh g −1), low electrochemical potential (−3.04 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode), and low density (0.534 g cm −3).

Is Li-Si a promising lithium-containing negative electrode?

Due to the smaller capacity of the pre-lithiated graphite (339 mAh g −1 -LiC 6), its full-cell shows much lower capacity than the case of Li 21 Si 5 (0.2–2 μm) (Fig. 6b), clearly indicating the advantage of the Li-rich Li-Si alloy as a promising lithium-containing negative electrode for next-generation high-energy LIBs.

What factors affect the apparent performance of lithium metal negative electrodes?

The factors affecting the apparent performance of lithium metal negative electrodes are as follows: various characteristics of the freshly deposited layer of lithium metal (morphology, nucleus shape, specific surface area), electrolyte composition, and the results of the interaction between the two (i. e., the formation of SEI).

What is a negative electrode in a battery?

In commonly used batteries, the negative electrode is graphite with a specific electrochemical capacity of 370 mA h/g and an average operating potential of 0.1 V with respect to Li/Li +. There are a large number of anode materials with higher theoretical capacity that could replace graphite in the future.

Are spent lithium-ion batteries a pollution hazard?

The remarkable accumulation of Li and heavy metals in anode of spent LIBs was found. Present regulations regarding the management and recycling of spent Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are inadequate, which may lead to the pollution of lithium (Li) and heavy metals in water and soil during the informal disposal of such batteries.

What are the limitations of a negative electrode?

The limitations in potential for the electroactive material of the negative electrode are less important than in the past thanks to the advent of 5 V electrode materials for the cathode in lithium-cell batteries. However, to maintain cell voltage, a deep study of new electrolyte–solvent combinations is required.