Increasing the stability of LiMn₂O₄ electrodes under high-current-density conditions via SoC control in an electrochemical lithium recovery system

Abstract

For efficient lithium recovery, the electrochemical lithium recovery (ELR) process that uses LiMn₂O₄ (LMO) electrodes with selectivity for lithium ions, has been introduced. The electrochemical system is environmentally friendly and allows for the recovery of lithium at a high yield, but the issue of manganese dissolution in LMO electrodes, decreasing their stability, remains to be solved. Herein, we suggest a solution to the existing problem through a rapid lithium recovery method that also enhances the stability of LMO electrodes through the state-of-charge (SoC) control approach. The retained discharge capacity of the system with a high current density (0.4 A/g) remains at 99.2% at 60% SoC after 300 cycles. Compared to the results under full charge/discharge operation (44.2% after 300 cycles), the proposed method demonstrates the state-of-charge (SoC) control adjustments at high current density levels to enhance the recovery rate and stability of the electrode. Additionally, high lithium-ion selectivity with a similar recovery rate is maintained at a high current density under 60% SoC operation compared to 100% SoC in lithium recovery tests. These results indicate that the SoC control strategy can increase the efficiency of ELR by improving the stability of the electrode under high-rate operational conditions.