How to extract Lithium from batteries (and cobalt as well) #chemistry #experiment #science #fire

Summary

In this educational video, the host demonstrates how to extract lithium salts from lithium-polymer batteries for a visually striking 'foser' fire. They begin by disassembling two types of batteries, focusing on the metal shell and mixed lithium cobalt oxide. After dissolving the oxide in diluted hydrochloric acid, they filter out the copper foil and graphite, which are not needed. The video then details the process of separating lithium from cobalt using oxalic acid, resulting in a pink cobalt oxalate precipitate. Despite challenges with impurities, the host successfully isolates lithium chloride, which produces a vibrant pink flame when heated, illustrating the presence of lithium.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The video demonstrates how to extract lithium salts from lithium-polymer batteries.
• 🔋 It's essential to use rechargeable electronics like old laptops or cameras that contain lithium.
• 🛠️ The process starts by removing the plastic casing and opening the battery to access the metal shell and internal components.
• 🧪 A mixture of lithium and cobalt oxide is found inside, which is the primary target for extraction.
• ⚠️ Safety is highlighted by mentioning the need to avoid fire hazards when handling the oxide.
• 🌐 The script references a Wikipedia page for the chemical composition and properties of the materials involved.
• 🔑 The separation of lithium from cobalt is achieved by dissolving the oxides in diluted hydrochloric acid.
• 🔬 A cobalt chloride complex forms, turning the solution red, indicating the presence of cobalt.
• 📊 The script describes an unsuccessful attempt at directly extracting lithium chloride by recrystallization due to insufficient lithium concentration.
• 🌐 The successful method involves boiling down the solution and using oxalic acid to precipitate cobalt oxalate, leaving lithium salts in solution.
• 🔥 A flam test is conducted to confirm the presence of lithium, which produces a pink coloration when heated.
• 🏺 The final step involves boiling down the solution to obtain solid lithium salts, which can be used for various applications.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the video?

The main objective of the video is to extract lithium salts from Lithium Polymer batteries and demonstrate the resulting lithium salts' flam color.

What types of batteries are used in the video?

The video uses two different types of Lithium Polymer batteries, which are found in rechargeable electronics like old laptops or cameras.

Why is it necessary to remove the plastic casing of the batteries?

The plastic casing is removed to be left with only the metal shell, which contains the roll with the mixed lithium Cobalt oxide needed for the extraction process.

What is the purpose of separating the copper foil with graphite from the oxides foil?

The copper foil with graphite is separated because it is not useful for the lithium extraction process and can be discarded.

Why is diluted hydrochloric acid used to dissolve the mixed oxide?

Diluted hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the mixed oxide to avoid fire hazards, as the oxide can make organic compounds in the foil take fire.

What causes the bright red coloration of the solution when the oxide is dissolved in hydrochloric acid?

The bright red coloration is due to the cobalt chloride complex with water.

Why doesn't the direct extraction of lithium chloride by recrystallization work in this case?

Direct extraction of lithium chloride by recrystallization doesn't work because there is not enough lithium compared to the amount of cobalt in the solution, preventing the salts from separating.

How is cobalt separated from the lithium salts in the solution?

Cobalt is separated by selectively precipitating Cobalt oxalate as a solid using oxalic acid, which results in a clear solution with the cobalt removed.

What is the significance of the pink color of the cobalt oxalate precipitate?

The pink color of the cobalt oxalate precipitate indicates the presence of cobalt in the solution, which is important for monitoring the separation process.

Why does the solution turn dark green turquoise after most of the oxalic acid is removed?

The solution turns dark green turquoise due to metal impurities such as nickel and manganese, which do not affect the flam color of lithium salts.

What is the final step to observe the flam color of the lithium salts?

The final step is to heat and mix the remaining solid lithium salts with ethanol, which results in a cool flam color.