The slow pace of the lithium-ion technological progress is not its only shortcoming. There’s more:
OVERHEATING
They overheat and explode if charged too fast.
SHORT LIFE TIME
They die after less than 1,000 charge/discharge cycles.
FLAMMABLE
They use chemicals that are flammable. This causes electric cars to explode when hit in certain ways (among other problems).
TOXIC
These chemicals are toxic, requiring special care when disposed.
UNDERPERFORM IN EXTREME TEMPERATURES
The chemicals underperform when temperatures are lower than 0°C (32°F) or higher than 50°C (122°F), limiting the applications.
EXPENSIVE CASING
The chemicals are liquid, requiring rigid and expensive casing to prevent leakage.
EXPENSIVE TO TRANSPORT
Extra precautions are needed to avoid explosions and additional approval is required to ship these batteries.
Are Lithium-Ion Batteries Bad For The Environment?
Lithium mining in Andean countries is carried out using saline water. Even though it is not suitable for drinking, the absence of saline water can significantly impact water and environmental resources.related suggestion:36V Lithium ion Battery Manufacturer
One ton of lithium requires a staggering 2.2 million gallons of water. More than half of the water in Chile’s Salar de Atacama has been used by mining activities in the region, significantly impacting local farmers.
Lithium batteries contain potentially toxic nickel, copper, and lead materials. When disposed of improperly, used batteries can lead to an environmental disaster, and if stored uncontrolled, they become explosive.
Lithium-Ion WasteLithium-ion batteries waste is a valuable resource. The materials and metals used in Li-ion batteries are not found abundantly, and access to these resources is critical for everyone today.
Initial concerns about the lack of natural resources to expand lithium-ion battery production were related to lithium. Today, however, cobalt reserves are of more significant concern.
Some countries are now arguing that end-of-life batteries with a high cobalt content should be immediately recycled to ensure the supply of this metal.
Lithium-Ion Battery RecyclingMost of the materials that make up batteries are recyclable. This also shows how important it is to collect them for recycling. Specialized companies collect used batteries for their recycling.
First, the body is opened and disassembled into its components. Then the electrolyte, containing lithium salts, is drained. After that, the anode and cathode plates are separated and cleaned.
The next stage is the processing of copper and aluminum parts for recycling. Battery cases are shredded to be further used to produce new products.
Lithium-Ion Battery Leakage
Electrolyte leakage is a common indication of lithium battery (LIB) failure, and a minor quantity of leakage of electrolyte vapor might be considered an early indication of probable battery damage. The explosion of gases generated by electrolyte leakage causes a substantial share of LIB safety issues, whereas minor damage to battery packs is often impossible to detect.
LIB electrolytes are mostly made up of difficult-to-detect volatile and redox neutral solvents such as methyl ethyl carbonate (EMC), vinyl carbonate, or dimethyl carbonate (DMC).
How can people mitigate the problems with lithium-ion batteries?
Correct usage and storage of lithium-ion batteries is extremely important.
Batteries should not be exposed to high external temperatures, for example from being left in direct sunlight for long periods of time.Overcharging is another fundamental issue as this can create excessive heat inside the battery cell.
Therefore, it is important to always use a reputable brand-name charger, rather than a cheap generic version that may be available online.
Good quality chargers, designed specifically for the battery you are using, control the amount of charge going into the cell and will cut off when it is fully charged to ensure the system does not over-heat.Be very wary if a lithium-ion battery sustains any physical damage, such as being dropped or pierced by an object, as this can lead to leakage and potential problems.
In industrial settings, safe battery storage can be crucial so that in the event of unwanted failure, the resulting fire can be more easily contained and controlled and does not spread – which can quickly cause catastrophic consequences.It is not advisable to purchase lithium-ion batteries second-hand, or online from unknown and potentially unregulated vendors.
To learn about lithium batteries, you can refer to:what is a lithium battery