Electrochemical recycling of lithium from lithium-based materials

A method for extracting lithium from lithium-based materials to be recycled using an electrochemical reactor, the method comprising:

• applying a current first a first period between a first current collector and a second current collector, the first period being a first determinable period extending until a cell voltage of about 50 mV Li/Li+ is achieved;
• and
• following the application of the current between the first current collector and the second current collector, applying a voltage for a second period between the first current collector and the second current collector each at least partially disposed in an electrolyte in the electrochemical reactor, the electrolyte having a temperature greater than or equal to about 5° C. to less than or equal to about 20° C., the second period being a second determinable period extending until a cell current decays to a near zero value within about 5% of the current, until a preselected thickness of a lithium film formed on one or more surfaces of the current collector is achieved, or a combination thereof, and the lithium-based materials comprising lithium to be recovered is disposed in the electrolyte and lithium ions move from the lithium-based material and plate onto the second current collector upon application of the voltage to form a lithium film.

A method for extracting lithium from lithium-based materials to be recycled using an electrochemical reactor, the method comprising:

• applying a current greater than or equal to about 0.01 mA/cm2 to less than or equal to about 0.1 mA/cm2 for a first period between a first current collector and a second current collector each at least partially disposed in an electrolyte in the electrochemical reactor, the first period being a first determinable period extending until a cell voltage of about 50 mV Li/Li+ is achieved, the electrolyte having a temperature greater than or equal to about 5° C. to less than or equal to about 20° C., the lithium-based materials comprising lithium to be recovered is also disposed in the electrolyte;
• and
• following the application of the current to the current collector, applying a voltage greater than or equal to about 1 mV versus Li/Li+ to less than or equal to about 50 mV versus Li/Li+ for a second period between the first current collector and the second current collector, lithium ions move from the lithium-based material and plate onto the second current collector upon application of the voltage to form a lithium film, the second period being a second determinable period extending until the lithium film has a thickness greater than or equal to about 1 micrometer to less than or equal to about 20 micrometers.