Lithium Metal Production via Room-Temperature Electrolysis
摘要
Worldwide production of lithium metalMetal is currently estimated at 2000 tons per year, while 2050 demand is estimated to be more than 5 million tons per year. The escalating global demandDemand for lithiumLithium metal, primarily driven by its critical role in clean energy technologies, necessitates significant advancements in lithium production methods. Lithium metal production is currently hindered by high energy consumption and chlorine gas generation as the industrial method for producing lithium metal involves high-temperature electrolysisElectrolysis of molten lithium chloride, which produces both molten lithium metalMetal and chlorine gas. Argonne National Laboratory has developed an innovative lithium electrowinningElectrowinning process that produces lithiumLithium metal at room temperature. This technology significantly reduces environmental impactEnvironmental impact by eliminating the generation of chlorine gas and instead produces oxygen as a byproductByproduct. The process leverages treated domestic spodumeneSpodumene or processed lithium chloride brinesBrine as flexible lithium sources, catering to fluctuating market conditions.