Lithium Batteries and Water: Separating Facts from Fear-Driven Misinformation
While drinking some coffee and waiting for Abe to wake up, I pulled up Google and did a search for lithium news. Right off the bat, I see MSN manipulating google’s algorithm to push a “lithium is dangerous” article.
They all link back to the same video of a guy taking a AA lithium battery apart and tossing the anode into water to watch it react. It’s a powerful media tool that paints lithium batteries as highly dangerous, but there’s no context. The battery in the video is a primary battery that has a lithium metal anode, and it’s this type of lazy and careless — dare I say journalism — from entities like MSN that has led people worldwide to think that if an EV is exposed to any amount of water, it will explode.
There are two types of lithium batteries: primary and secondary.
Primary Battery: A primary battery is non-rechargeable and designed to be used once and discarded. It works through an irreversible chemical reaction, and once the active materials are consumed, the battery can’t be reused.
Secondary Battery: A secondary battery is rechargeable. It stores electrical energy through a reversible chemical reaction, allowing it to be recharged and used multiple times. An example is a lithium-ion battery, commonly used in smartphones and electric vehicles (EVs).
Lithium metal anodes are found in primary batteries because they provide high energy density, are lightweight, and have a long shelf life. Lithium is the lightest metal with the highest electrochemical potential, delivering more energy in a smaller package than other materials. These features make lithium metal ideal for applications where size and weight matter, such as medical devices, military equipment, and aerospace systems. Lithium metal anodes also help primary batteries hold their charge for years, making them useful in backup power systems.
However, lithium metal anodes aren’t used in secondary batteries because of the risk of dendrite formation. When rechargeable batteries charge, lithium ions move to the anode, where they can deposit unevenly as metallic lithium. Over time, this uneven deposition creates needle-like structures called dendrites. If dendrites grow large enough, they can pierce the separator between the anode and cathode, causing a short circuit. This leads to overheating, thermal runaway, and potential fires or explosions. This issue doesn’t occur in primary batteries because they are designed for single-use, not repeated charging.
In secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, a graphite anode is used instead of lithium metal. During charging, lithium ions move through the electrolyte and are stored between the layers of graphite in the anode, which is more stable than metallic lithium. This reduces the risk of dendrite formation and allows for safe, repeated charging cycles. The cathodes in lithium-ion batteries typically use compounds like lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) or nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC).
The downside to using graphite in secondary batteries is that it offers lower energy density than lithium metal. As a result, lithium-ion batteries are heavier and bulkier compared to what lithium metal batteries of the same capacity would be. However, lithium-ion batteries are more practical for applications like EVs because they can be safely recharged hundreds or thousands of times.
Researchers are working to bring lithium metal anodes to secondary batteries by solving the dendrite problem, with solid-state batteries being one potential solution. These batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, which can help prevent dendrite growth and allow the safe use of lithium metal anodes. Solid-state batteries could offer higher energy density and safety, making them ideal for EVs and other applications requiring long battery life and high energy storage.
Another promising technology is lithium-sulfur batteries, which aim to use lithium metal anodes while offering greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries. These batteries have the potential to deliver two to three times the energy density of traditional lithium-ion cells, making them attractive for EVs, aerospace, and grid storage. The challenge with lithium-sulfur batteries is that the sulfur cathode is unstable and forms lithium polysulfides, which cause capacity loss and reduce battery lifespan.
Lithium-ion batteries, which do not use a lithium metal anode, do not explode or catch fire when exposed to water. Instead, lithium-ion batteries, because of the graphite anode, don’t react violently with water. If water contacts a lithium-ion battery, the reaction is less dramatic than with lithium metal. However, water can still cause internal short circuits if it penetrates the battery’s casing and interacts with the electrolyte or other internal components.
The real risk with lithium-ion batteries is thermal runaway, a process where the battery temperature rises uncontrollably due to an internal failure. This can be triggered by factors like overcharging, physical damage, or manufacturing defects, but it’s not typically caused by exposure to water unless it causes a short circuit. If thermal runaway occurs, heat and pressure can build up inside the battery, leading to fire or explosion. This is why lithium-ion batteries, including those in EVs, must meet strict safety standards to minimize these risks. While lithium-ion batteries are far less dangerous than lithium-metal-based batteries, they still require careful handling to prevent accidents.
A little tidbit here: Redwood Materials uses thermal runaway to increase the heat during thermal reduction, breaking down the battery and making it inert for size reduction. This is then followed by the metal extraction, where the lithium and other battery metals are recovered and processed into cathode active material or, as with the copper, new copper foil that will be used as the current collector for the anode. Ascend Elements also uses thermal runaway, but they have added early-stage lithium extraction to produce lithium carbonate during this stage.
Efforts to improve the safety of lithium metal anodes in water exposure scenarios are ongoing. One approach involves developing advanced protective coatings for lithium metal anodes that act as a barrier to moisture. These coatings can prevent direct contact between water and the lithium metal, significantly reducing the risk of violent reactions. These coatings also need to be thin and flexible to avoid compromising the battery’s energy density.
Researchers are also experimenting with electrolyte additives designed to stabilize lithium metal in aqueous environments. By using additives that form a protective film on the anode surface, the lithium can remain insulated from water and oxygen, minimizing the potential for hazardous reactions.
Solid-state batteries continue to be a leading solution for addressing the water exposure issue. The solid electrolytes used in these batteries are non-flammable and impermeable to moisture, preventing any interaction between the lithium metal anode and water. Solid-state designs are particularly promising for applications in electric vehicles and other settings where battery safety is critical.
Conclusion:
Misleading articles and viral posts on X spread the false idea that lithium batteries found in EVs are dangerously reactive to water, often showing videos of primary batteries with lithium metal anodes reacting violently to push this narrative. These posts ignore the fact that secondary batteries, like those in EVs, use graphite anodes, which are stable in water, with the only risk being a short circuit caused by water contact. In fact, water is the recommended method to extinguish an EV fire, as it cools the battery and interrupts the thermal runaway process.
Such content is designed to boost engagement by exploiting fear, misleading the public about the safety of EVs and lithium-ion technology. While the lithium in primary batteries react to water, the lithium in secondary lithium-ion batteries do not, and they are engineered with safety in mind. Misinformation only fuels skepticism and distorts the true safety of EVs. Understanding the difference is necessary to separate fact from fear-driven clickbait.
I have included a sample of the research papers I have collected and keep around for reference on articles like this.
Research Papers on Primary and Secondary Lithium Battery Structures:
Title: Understanding the Structural Differences Between Primary and Secondary Lithium Batteries
Summary: This paper provides a detailed analysis of the internal structure of primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) lithium batteries, highlighting the differences in anode materials, electrolytes, and separators.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013468619327636
Title: The Evolution of Anode Materials in Primary and Secondary Lithium Batteries
Summary: Discusses the use of lithium metal in primary batteries and the transition to graphite in secondary batteries to prevent dendrite formation and improve safety.
Link: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7655/ab4e4b
Title: Internal Structures of Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Metal Primary Batteries: A Comparison
Summary: A comparative study on the internal components of lithium-ion and lithium-metal primary batteries, focusing on how the structure impacts performance and safety.
Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b01854
Title: A Comprehensive Review of Lithium Battery Electrodes: Primary vs. Secondary Batteries
Summary: Explores the electrode structures used in primary and secondary lithium batteries, explaining why lithium metal is used in primary batteries and graphite in secondary batteries.
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/5/1156
Title: Comparative Analysis of Electrolyte Composition in Primary and Secondary Lithium Batteries
Summary: A study on the differences in electrolyte compositions between primary and secondary lithium batteries, focusing on how they affect safety, energy density, and rechargeability.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775309000942
Research Papers on Lithium Metal Anodes (LMA):
Title: Challenges and Progress of Lithium Metal Anodes in Rechargeable Batteries
Summary: This paper explores the challenges associated with lithium metal anodes, such as dendrite formation, and discusses recent progress in making LMA viable for secondary batteries.
Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00496
Title: Solid-State Batteries with Lithium Metal Anodes: Mechanisms and Challenges
Summary: A detailed analysis of how solid-state batteries aim to address the dendrite issue associated with lithium metal anodes, improving safety and energy density.
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-020-0724-2
Title: Lithium Metal Anodes: A Review of Research Directions and Safety Challenges
Summary: This review summarizes the potential of lithium metal anodes in future battery technologies and the critical safety challenges, including dendrite growth and thermal runaway.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542435119300417
Research Papers on Lithium Battery Fires and Safety Procedures:
Title: Lithium-Ion Battery Fire and Explosion Hazards: A Literature Review
Summary: A comprehensive review of the fire and explosion hazards of lithium-ion batteries, discussing causes and mitigation strategies.
Link: https://publications.iafss.org/publications/fss/8/375/view/fss_8-375.pdf
Title: A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suppression
Summary: This review discusses suppression methods for lithium-ion battery fires, identifying water mist as the most promising suppression technique.
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/19/5117
Title: Experimental Investigation of Explosion Hazard from Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway
Summary: Investigates the explosion hazards associated with thermal runaway, providing experimental data on how to manage these risks.
Title: Lithium Battery Safety Procedures
Summary: Describes procedures to safely handle lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries, reducing fire and explosion risks.
Title: Packaging Technique to Defeat Fires and Explosions Due to Lithium Batteries
Summary: Discusses packaging techniques to mitigate fire and explosion hazards associated with lithium batteries.
Link: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2020-03/Literature%20Review.pdf
Title: Special Issue on Lithium Battery Fire Safety
Summary: A special issue featuring multidisciplinary research on lithium battery fire safety, including causes and suppression techniques.
Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-020-01048-z
Title: Li-ion Battery Fault Detection in Large Packs Using Force and Gas Sensors
Summary: Explores fault detection methods in large battery packs to prevent thermal runaway, using force and gas sensors.
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2010.13519
DISCLAIMER: This article should not be construed as a offering of investment advice nor should any statements (by the author or by other persons and or entities that the author has included) in this article be taken as investment advice or recommendations of any investment strategy. The information in this article is for education purposes only. The author did not receive compensation from any of the companies mentioned to be included in the article.