Scientists find new use for spent lithium-ion batteries in hydrogen peroxide production

The worldwide use of lithium-ion batteries has doubled in simply the previous 4 years, producing alarming quantities of battery waste containing many hazardous substances. The necessity for efficient recycling strategies for spent lithium-ion batteries is changing into more and more essential. Within the journal ChemElectroChemscientists from varied Polish analysis establishments have presented a promising answer to this problem.

The analysis was primarily based on carbon materials extracted from electrodes of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These electrodes underwent an acidic leaching course of to recuperate priceless metals. Relying on the experimental situations, the ensuing carbon materials was roughly etched and, after being powdered, nonetheless contained hint quantities of metals, together with cobalt—which is a steel usually utilized in catalysis. The analysis aimed to repurpose these battery supplies to be used in catalytic processeswith a selected concentrate on those who facilitate the manufacturing of hydrogen peroxide.

“Hydrogen peroxide is one of the fundamental chemical molecules, essential to numerous industries. Large-scale production of this substance typically demands high pressures and temperatures, costly catalysts, and various toxic electrolytes. Our focus was on developing a more environmentally friendly method for producing hydrogen peroxide: specifically, an electrochemical approach using catalysts derived from used lithium-ion batteries,” explains Dr. Eng. Magdalena Warczak (PBS), mission chief and lead writer of the article detailing this accomplishment.

Electrochemical assessments revealed that supplies recovered from spent LIB batteries, containing carbon nanostructures and cobalt, show catalytic properties within the oxygen reduction reaction. Nonetheless, it was additionally discovered that these properties are extremely depending on the kind of pattern, particularly its composition and construction, that are largely influenced by the composition of the etching baths used to scrub the electrodes extracted from lithium-ion batteries.

“For potential future applications, the crucial finding is that, based on data gathered from experiments using a rotating electrode, we were able to determine the number of electrons involved in the reduction of a single oxygen molecule. The electrochemical reduction of oxygen can occur with either four or two electrons. In the case of four electrons, water is produced, but with two electrons, we obtain the desired hydrogen peroxide. In all the samples we tested, we observed the two-electron reduction,” explains Dr. Warczak.

To get rid of the potential impression of the glassy carbon electrode used as a substrate on the outcomes, the measurements had been repeated in programs the place particular person battery powders had been suspended between two immiscible liquids. The natural liquid contained decamethylferrocene, a compound that donates electrons within the oxygen discount response being studied.

Oxygen discount occurred spontaneously on the interface between the liquids. These research confirmed that, much like the experiments with the glassy carbon electrode, all samples catalyzed the oxygen discount response to supply hydrogen peroxide. The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on the interface, measured utilizing a scanning electrochemical microscope, had been one to 2 orders of magnitude greater than in programs with out battery waste.

“Lithium-ion batteries have generally been viewed as just a secondary source of carbon materials, mainly graphite, and metals like lithium, cobalt, or nickel. Meanwhile, our group’s findings clearly demonstrate that battery waste can catalyze the reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, and in the future, this could lead to its use in producing this important chemical compound,” concludes Dr. Warczak.

Hydrogen peroxide at a 3% focus is bought in pharmacies as a disinfectant for wounds and irritation, although its effectiveness for wound care is debatable. Options with concentrations of as much as 15% are used as bleaches in family cleansing merchandise and cosmetics, similar to hair lighteners. An answer with round 30% focus, often known as hydrogen peroxide, is essential in varied industries, together with chemical manufacturing (for peroxide synthesis and as an oxidant), pulp and paper and textiles (as a bleach), rubber (as a uncooked materials), electronics and steel (as an etching agent), and meals processing (as a biocidal substance).

Apparently, hydrogen peroxide can even function an oxidizer for fuels, together with rocket fuels. It first performed this function within the Nineteen Forties, when it was used within the early rockets able to crossing the standard boundary of house. Nonetheless, at the moment, its concentrations didn’t exceed 80%, and technological limitations hindered the long-term missions.

In distinction, at excessive concentrations (98% or extra), hydrogen peroxide is without doubt one of the most environmentally pleasant propellants. Only a few weeks in the past, it was used on this type for the primary time in house flight, powering a suborbital rocket constructed on the Lukasiewicz Institute of Aviation in Warsaw.

Future analysis will concentrate on enhancing the effectivity of electrochemical reactions to a stage appropriate for future industrial use. Future plans additionally embrace exploring four-electron discount for potential functions in gasoline cells.

The workforce consists of researchers from Bydgoszcz College of Science and Know-how (PBS), the Institute of Basic Technological Analysis of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Bodily Chemistry of the PAS in Warsaw, and Wroclaw College of Science and Know-how.

Offered by Jan and Jedrzej Sniadecki College of Know-how in Bydgoszcz