Lithium batteries environmental concerns

Because of the special stabiHty of the hexafluoroarsenate ion, there are a number of appHcations of hexafluoroarsenates. For example, onium hexafluoroarsenates (33) have been described as photoinitiators in the hardening of epoxy resins (qv). Lithium hexafluoroarsenate [29935-35-1] has been used as an electrolyte in lithium batteries (qv). Hexafluoroarsenates, especially alkaH and alkaline-earth metal salts or substituted ammonium salts, have been reported (34) to be effective as herbicides (qv). Potassium hexafluoroarsenate [17029-22-0] has been reported (35) to be particularly effective against prickly pear. However, environmental and regulatory concerns have severely limited these appHcations. 

Each type of lithium battery requires slightly different processing/handling. The specific reasons for differing processes may be due to the environmental concerns of the materials within the batteries, the size of the batteries, the reactivity of the batteries, safety concerns, differing states of charge of the batteries, and/or different materials to be recovered. An analysis of each battery type should be performed and the results should be reviewed for chemical compatibility of the process, flammability, toxicity, reactivity, safety, and for environmental concerns. 

The introduction of advanced batteries based on lithium or on metal hydride technologies has not yet reached the point where they have created an environmental concern, but when their usage becomes more widespread they will introduce additional problems. In particular, lithium batteries containing thionyl chloride (TLV = 1 ppm) or sulfur dioxide (TLV = 2 ppm) and acetonitrile (TWA = 40 ppm) may create disposal problems not only because of their toxicity, but also... 

Numerous efforts are done to replace the lithium-cobalt oxide used in the first generation of commercial lithium-ion batteries by materials with low cost and environmental concerns. The development of new materials needs new synthesis procedure such as sol-gel processing, ion-exchange reaction, and hydrothermal reaction. The chemical and structural stabilities of the transition-metal oxide electrodes have been compared by studying bulk samples. In this respect, the various physicochemical techniques are welcome to design the best stmcture. Synthesis of amorphous compounds could help the knowledge of microstructures in this regard. 

The possible advent of large-scale growth in battery-powered vehicle deployment provides a unique opportunity to delve into the battery supply chain and examine it for any environmental issues or other roadblocks pertaining to material scarcity that may arise as barriers. One key concern is that batteries incorporate materials whose production may incur adverse environmental impacts and consume large amoimts of energy. Additionally, if demand for these materials (especially lithium or cobalt) for batteries outpaces supply, scarcity may become an issue and impact the price and feasibility of large-scale adoption of battery-powered vehicles. 

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