How to Clean Lithium Battery?

Lithium batteries have become an essential part of our daily lives. From powering our smartphones and laptops to electric cars, these batteries have revolutionized the way we live and work. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As lithium batteries age, they tend to accumulate dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can reduce their performance and lifespan. To ensure that your lithium batteries continue to function optimally, it's important to clean them regularly.

Cleaning lithium batteries may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually quite simple. With just a few basic tools and some elbow grease, you can easily remove dirt and grime from your batteries and keep them in top condition. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of cleaning your lithium batteries, step by step. We'll also share some tips and tricks to help you prolong the lifespan of your batteries and get the most out of them.

Before Cleaning Lithium Battery

1. REMOVE the Lithium battery from the DEVICE and MAKE SURE that there are NO FOREIGN OBJECTS on the surface of the battery

Before cleaning the battery, the reason for removing the battery from the device is to avoid accidentally triggering the device during the cleaning process, causing injury or damage to the device in addition, removing the battery can make it easier to clean and avoid detergent splashing inside the device. Before ensuring that there are no foreign objects on the surface of the battery, it is also to avoid the mixing of cleaning agents with foreign objects, which will cause damage to the surface of the battery or problems inside the battery.Foreign objects may include dust, grease, dirt, etc., and need to be wiped clean with a clean cloth or cotton swab. It is worth noting that when cleaning the battery, you need to use special cleaners or alcohol, and do not use water or other chemicals, because these substances may cause damage or corrosion to the battery.In addition, when cleaning the battery, you need to be careful not to let the detergent into the inside of the battery, so as not to affect the normal operation of the battery.

2. MAKE SURE that the LITHIUM BATTERY IS NOT CONNECTED TO ANY EQUIPMENT and UNPLUG THE POWER PLUG

Before cleaning the lithium battery, make sure that the lithium battery is not connected to any equipment. It is to prevent the battery from shorting or the current is too large during the cleaning process, which will cause the battery to be damaged or dangerous.When the lithium battery is connected to the device, there will be current flowing through. If the battery is still connected when it is cleaned, the chemical reaction inside the battery may be aggravated during the cleaning process, resulting in high temperature and fire hazards. Therefore, before cleaning the lithium battery, it is necessary to separate the battery from the device to ensure that the battery is in a safe state.

3. AVOID OVER DISCHARGE OR OVER CHARGING

Whether it is using lithium batteries, maintaining lithium batteries or cleaning lithium batteries, overcharge and over discharge are the primary factors affecting the life of lithium batteries.

Overcharge of lithium battery will have a certain impact on clean lithium batteries. Overcharge can cause the internal voltage of the lithium battery to be too high, which may cause the internal chemical reaction of the battery to get out of control, leading to safety issues such as explosion or fire of the battery. At the same time, overcharging will also shorten the service life of the lithium battery and reduce the performance and capacity of the battery. Therefore, for clean lithium batteries, it is also necessary to avoid overcharging to ensure their safety and performance.

Over-discharge of lithium batteries will affect the cleaning of lithium batteries. Over-discharge can cause an imbalance in the chemical reaction inside the battery, which may cause the electrolyte to leak or produce gas and will make the cleaning process more difficult and may pose a threat to personal safety. Therefore, excessive discharge of lithium batteries should be avoided and lithium batteries should be in a safe state before cleaning.

4. WEAR GLOVES and goggles

A. Prevent irritation and damage to the skin by chemicals.The electrolyte in lithium batteries usually contains some harmful chemicals, such as fluoride and hydrofluoric acid. If it comes into direct contact with the skin, it may cause tingling, burns and other uncomfortable symptoms, causing skin damage.

B. Prevent the electrolyte from splashing into the eyes and causing eye damage.When cleaning lithium batteries, the electrolyte may splash into the air. If you do not wear goggles, it may splash directly into the eyes, causing eye damage.
C. Protect your own safety.When cleaning the lithium battery, it may be electrocuted by the battery, or the battery may be shorted due to misoperation, causing fire and other hazards.Wearing gloves and goggles can effectively protect your safety.

During Cleaning the Lithium Battery

5. AVOID WATER or LIQUID liquid from entering the inside of the battery

The lithium battery contains substances such as electrolyte and lithium metal. If water or liquid enters the battery, it will cause problems such as electrolyte dilution and lithium metal corrosion, which will affect battery performance and life.At the same time, contact between water and electrolyte may also cause electrolysis reaction, produce hydrogen, cause the internal pressure of the battery to increase, and even explode. Therefore, a clean, dry cloth or cotton swab should be used when cleaning the lithium battery to avoid liquid entering the inside of the battery.

Note: Lithium metal will be attacked by water molecules in water. Water molecules will react with the oxide layer on the surface of lithium metal to form compounds such as lithium hydroxide and hydroxides. These compounds will further corrode lithium metal.In addition, the oxygen in the water will also react with lithium metal to form compounds such as hydroxides and lithium hydroxide, resulting in corrosion of lithium metal.Therefore, water can cause corrosion of lithium metal.

6. DO NOT USE GENERAL CHEMICAL CLEANERS or abrasives, and gently wipe the surface of the battery with a clean and soft cloth

Common cleaning agents include: detergent (used to clean clothes, bedding, household textiles, etc.), detergent (used to clean kitchens, tableware, glass, etc.), glass cleaner (used to clean glass, mirrors, etc.), disinfectant (used to disinfect kitchens, bathrooms, etc.)

Take detergent as an example. Detergent is a strong alkaline cleaner that can effectively remove grease and dirt.However, the shell of the battery is usually made of metal or plastic, and these materials are corrosive to strongly alkaline substances.Using detergent to clean the battery can cause damage to the battery housing and may even break, resulting in battery leakage and possible safety risks.Therefore, it is not recommended to use detergent to clean the battery.Because detergent may affect the chemical composition of lithium batteries, resulting in battery performance degradation or damage.At the same time, in order to protect lithium batteries, they should be avoided from exposure to high temperature, humidity or fire sources.The correct cleaning method is to gently wipe the surface of the battery with warm water and a soft cloth to remove dirt and dust.If there is stubborn dirt on the surface of the battery, you can use a special battery cleaner or cleaning cloth to gently wipe it, or leave the battery to a professional for cleaning.

A specialized lithium battery cleaner is a cleaner for lithium batteries, which usually contains some special ingredients. These organic ingredients usually include organic solvents or surfactants. The role is to remove dirt, grease and oxides from the surface of the lithium battery, and maintain the performance and life of the lithium battery. Common organic solvents include acetone, isopropanol, butanone, etc., and surfactants include sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, dodecyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, etc.Common lithium battery cleaner brands are CRC, 3M, KONTAKT CHEMIE, etc.

7. DO NOT USE OVERHEATED WATER or any solution to clean the lithium battery

The reason why lithium batteries cannot be cleaned with superheated water or any solution is because the electrolyte in lithium batteries is an organic solvent, which is highly reactive to water and other solutions. If you use superheated water or any solution to clean the lithium battery, it may cause leakage of the electrolyte, which will cause harm to the environment and the human body. In addition, overheated water may also cause deformation of the internal structure of the lithium battery, thereby affecting the performance and life of the battery. Therefore, special cleaning agents and tools should be used when cleaning lithium batteries, and the correct operating steps should be followed.

Generally speaking, the storage temperature of lithium batteries should be between -20℃ and 25℃. Beyond this range, the performance and life of the battery may be affected. When storing lithium batteries, high temperature, low temperature and humid environments should be avoided. At the same time, care should be taken to avoid long-term storage and non-use to avoid losses caused by battery self-discharge. Therefore, the cleaning liquid with too high temperature will affect the life of the lithium battery to a certain extent, and the high temperature for a long time will easily cause the battery to explode, so the safety of the personnel cleaning the lithium battery cannot be guaranteed.

8. If the lithium battery becomes STICKY or STICKS to the surface due to liquid leakage, do not touch it with your hands.

The liquid inside the lithium battery is toxic and may cause irritation and damage to the skin and eyes. If the liquid leaks and becomes viscous or sticks to the surface, hand touch may cause the liquid to spread further, increasing the danger. Therefore, special tools should be used to remove the viscous liquid to ensure safe handling.

9. DRY THE LITHIUM BATTEYR THOROUGHLY and ensure that there is no residual material on the surface before reinstalling the battery.

AVOID SHORT-CIRCUITING THE BATTERY: If there is moisture or other liquid residue on the surface of the battery, it may cause a short circuit of the battery, which in turn damages the battery or causes danger.
AVOID BATTERY PERFORMANCE DEGRATION: If there is dust, dirt or other residual substances on the surface of the battery, it may reduce the electrical conductivity of the battery and cause battery performance degradation.
AVOID BATTERY DAMAGE: If there are chemical residues on the surface of the battery, it may have a corrosive effect on the battery and cause damage to the battery.

Therefore, after cleaning the lithium battery, the battery should be thoroughly dried and ensure that there is no residual material on the surface of the battery, and then reinstall the battery to ensure the safety and performance of the battery.

Cleaning your lithium battery is an important task that should not be overlooked. Not only does it help to prolong the life of your battery, but it also ensures that it works efficiently and effectively. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your lithium battery stays clean and functional for years to come.

By taking the time to clean your lithium battery on a regular basis, you can ensure that it continues to function at its best. So, don't hesitate to give your battery a little TLC and keep it clean and well-maintained. Your electronic devices will thank you for it!