Lithium batteries, if not disposed of properly, can release toxic substances into the environment. In addition, their production has a significant environmental impact – even just from the extraction of the metal – which cannot be ignored. Possible eco-friendly variants in development are sodium-ion batteries and calcium-ion batteries, although they may have a lower energy density. We will explore them in this article.
The lithium batteries are the most commonly used rechargeable batteries. To be clear, they are the ones found inside smartphones and other electronic devices such as laptops or cameras. Electric cars also use them. They are appreciated for their high energy efficiency, long life and energy density, as well as boasting a longer life cycle than other rechargeable batteries. Over the last 30 years – as reported by Wikipedia – they have tripled their volumetric energy density and reduced their cost tenfold. But it’s not all roses and flowers, of course. The European directive EN 60086-4 classifies these batteries as hazardous substances that require specific storage and disposal. Let’s delve into the topic by highlighting the following how much they pollute lithium batteries and what are their possible Ecological variants.
What are lithium batteries?
These are batteries made up of single or multiple lithium-ion cells. The latter circulate internally between the cathode and the anode. The electrons, however, move in the opposite direction in the external circuit. This movement generates electric current. Among their merits, the fact that they have made portable consumer electronics easier and have also somehow revolutionized electric mobility. It was, in 1985, Akira Yoshino to develop the first prototype lithium-ion battery using a carbon anode (rather than lithium metal). In 1991, lithium batteries as we know them today were introduced to the market.
What are the disadvantages of lithium batteries?
Currently, the main disadvantages of lithium batteries are their cost and safety. In addition, of course, to their role in terms of pollution and environmental impact (which we focus on in more depth a few paragraphs below). They are quite expensive to produce, especially the high-performance ones. Why are lithium batteries considered dangerous? Because they can overheat and even catch fire if they are not used or recharged correctly. Finally, they are subject to a degradation of performance over time and with charge/discharge cycles.
Lithium batteries, how much do they pollute?
Contrary to what one might think, lithium batteries pollute not only when they are in use disposal. In fact, they involve a significant environmental impact even before their production. Especially during the manufacturing process lithium extraction. This takes months, if not years. After drilling and extracting the brine, the minerals are exposed to evaporation in the open air, creating a mixture from which lithium carbonate is extracted. This process requires a large amount of waterwhich is taken away from local communities and which, in any case, generates a loss of water resources that can compromise agricultural activities. Furthermore, the energy required by the chemical processes and manufacturing during the production of lithium, entails a high carbon footprint. carbon.
In addition to the above, it is important to note that most lithium batteries are not recycled properly. And when they are, the recycling rate is still quite low due to the high costs of the processes involved. This is a problem because these batteries contain metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese. These are all toxic substances that can contaminate water supplies and ecosystems if they leak out of landfills.
Eco-friendly variants of lithium batteries
In an age when there is a desperate attempt to curb the use of fossil fuelsit is necessary to evaluate ecological alternatives to batteries in order to store energy from renewable and clean sources. Such as solar and wind. Among the eco-friendly antagonists of lithium batteries are sodium ion batteries, calcium ion batteries and organic rechargeable batteries.
The sodium ion batteries (SIB) could soon evolve as valid substitutes due to the abundant availability and reasonable cost of sodium. As well as the similarity between the properties of the two metals. Although, compared to lithium, Na is three times heavier and has a lower standard electrochemical potential. The following are calcium ion batteries (abundant and inexpensive), which could be considered as promising alternatives due to their cost-effectiveness and high volumetric/gravimetric capacity. However, their practical applications are still limited to date.
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Source: www.greenstyle.it
