Systems and methods for lithium metal deposition

A rechargeable metal displacement battery comprising:

• a negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode comprises a conductive substrate coated with a layer of a first metal having an inner face and an outer face, wherein the inner face is configured to contact the conductive substrate;
• a positive electrode, wherein the positive electrode comprises a second metal;
• a solid electrolyte comprising a conformable polymer that preferentially conducts ions of the first metal compared to ions of the second metal, and that coats the outer face of the layer of the first metal;
• and
• a molten salt electrolyte, wherein the molten salt electrolyte is a mixture of inorganic salts comprising a first salt of the first metal and a salt of the second metal, wherein the melting temperature of the molten salt electrolyte is less than 140° C.,
• wherein the molten salt electrolyte is disposed between the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode, and is in direct physical contact with both the solid electrolyte and the positive electrode, and
• wherein the first metal is more electropositive than the second metal.

A process for recycling battery scrap containing one or more transition metal oxides comprising:

• submerging the battery scrap in a melt comprising a glass-forming oxide;
• holding the melt at a temperature between about 600° C. and about 1100° C., thereby allowing the one or more transition metal oxides to dissolve in the melt;
• disposing an anode and a first cathode in the melt;
• and
• applying a voltage across the anode and the first cathode, thereby generating oxygen at the anode and electroplating a first transition metal onto the first cathode.

A system configured for monitoring and controlling electrolytic deposition of metal in an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte providing a source of metal ions for electrodeposition onto the negative electrode, the system comprising:

• a variable direct current (dc) voltage source configured to receive a first control signal, and to provide a dc voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the first control signal;
• a variable alternating current source configured to receive a second control signal, and to provide alternating current across the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the second control signal;
• an electrochemical noise monitor configured to monitor current and voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode and to produce an output signal indicative of the current and voltage noise across the positive electrode and the negative electrode;
• an analysis and control system configured to receive the output signal, and to analyze the output signal to calculate a power spectrum of the noise, and further configured to output the first control signal to the variable de voltage source, and the second control signal to the variable alternating current source, the first control signal and the second control signal being determined based on user-determined input parameters and on the power spectrum of the noise,
• wherein the system is configured such that, during operation, the de voltage and the alternating current control the surface features of the metal electrodeposited on the negative electrode based on the first control signal and the second control signal, respectively.