Vertically integrated pure lithium metal production and lithium battery production

Abstract

Methods are proposed for fabricating highly pure lithium metal electrodes from aqueous lithium salt solutions by means of electrolysis through lithium ion selective membranes, performed at constant current densities between about 10 mAh/cm2 and about 50 mAh/cm2, and wherein the constant current is applied for a time between about 1 minute and about 60 minutes. The electrolysis is performed under a blanketing atmosphere, the blanketing atmosphere being substantially free of lithium reactive components. Methods are further proposed for vertically integrating the electrolytic fabrication of highly pure lithium metal electrodes into the production of lithium metal batteries, the fabrication of lithium electrodes and lithium metal batteries being performed in a single facility.

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