Lithium-ion Batteries in Disposable Vape Pens Raise Environmental Concerns with Surprising High-Performance

The extensive adoption of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices is well-known, attributed to their impressive energy density and prolonged cycle life.

Nevertheless, these batteries encounter challenges, notably in their integration into the rapidly evolving market of electronic cigarettes or vaping devices, prompting notable apprehension among consumers and industry experts.

A recent study brings forth noteworthy insights, revealing that the lithium-ion batteries utilized in disposable e-cigarettes, designed for limited use, exhibit the ability to sustain high-performance levels across numerous charge-discharge cycles.

Conducted by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University of Oxford, supported by The Faraday Institution, the analysis sheds light on a growing environmental concern linked to the escalating popularity of disposable vape pens.

Despite their initial design for single-use scenarios, Interesting Engineering reported that these devices now pose a burgeoning environmental menace.

Paul Shearing, a Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Department of Engineering Science at both the University of Oxford and UCL, shared that the research team found surprising results regarding the potential cycling longevity of these batteries.

Since the onset of 2021, EurekAlert reported that the usage of disposable e-cigarettes has witnessed an unprecedented surge, with a remarkable 18-fold increase noted in the UK between January 2021 and April 2022.

A particularly concerning trend emerged during this period, as the usage among 18-year-olds catapulted from a mere 0.4 percent to an alarming 54.8 percent within just 15 months.

This rapid ascent in the adoption of single-use e-cigarettes has brought about immediate challenges in waste management, resulting in the disposal of approximately 1.3 million devices every week across the nation.

Consequently, an estimated 10,000 kilograms of lithium from e-cigarette batteries are deposited into UK landfills annually. This poses a significant environmental threat, as the potential release of toxic nickel, cobalt, and organic solvents into local waterways becomes a looming concern, as highlighted by the research team.

Emphasizing the Need for Public Awareness

In the early phases, the team harbored suspicions that the batteries incorporated into these e-cigarettes might be rechargeable. As per the researchers' knowledge, there have been no previous investigations evaluating the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries in these specific products, Shearing noted.

To confirm, the team methodically extracted batteries from disposable e-cigarettes, using tools and methodologies akin to those in electric vehicle battery studies. They examined the batteries under microscopes and utilized X-ray tomography to unveil their internal structure.

Through a series of charge and discharge cycles, researchers assessed the electrochemical performance longevity of the batteries, discovering they could be recharged numerous times, as posted on Joule.

Emphasizing the need for public awareness about battery types and proper disposal, researchers called for manufacturers to establish a recycling ecosystem and shift towards rechargeable devices.