Lithium production

摘要

There is considerable enthusiasm for innovative battery technology for both electric vehicles and domestic solar power back-up. Central to this new technology are developments in rechargeable batteries using lithium, of which there are many types and variants. Of particular interest are developments of the lithium-air battery, which has as its basis the oxidation of lithium metal: 4Li → 4Li~+ + 4e~- and O2 + 4e~- → 20~(2-) 4Li + O2 → 2Li2O The interest in batteries based on this reaction is because the theoretical energy density of the battery (40.6 MJ/kg) approaches that for conventional transport fuels such as diesel (about 44 MJ/kg) and theoretically the battery can recover full efficiency following deep discharge. Efficient recharge is a problem with many other lithium-based batteries and a major issue with lead-acid batteries.