It is not uncommon for lithium batteries (such as mobile phones, cameras, and drone batteries) to be accidentally soaked in seawater during outdoor activities, seaside trips, or emergencies. The high salinity and conductivity of seawater may cause serious damage to the battery and even cause safety hazards. This article will provide you with a detailed analysis of the correct handling process and scientific principles of lithium batteries soaked in seawater to help you avoid risks and reduce losses.
I. Take immediate action: safety first, avoid secondary damage
a. Cut off the power supply and remove the battery
- Do not continue to use: seawater entering the battery may cause a short circuit, causing heating, expansion, or even fire.
- Remove the battery carefully: If the battery is embedded in a device (such as a mobile phone), it needs to be turned off and carefully disassembled to avoid squeezing the battery shell.
b. Avoid direct contact with the skin
- Battery electrolyte (containing corrosive chemicals) may leak with seawater and cause burns when in contact with the skin or eyes. It is recommended to wear gloves when operating.
c. Stay away from open flames and high temperature environments
- Short-circuited batteries may generate sparks or high temperatures and need to be placed in a ventilated and cool place away from flammable materials.
II. The fatal impact of seawater on lithium batteries
a. Accelerated internal corrosion
- Chloride ions (Cl⁻) in seawater will react chemically with battery electrode materials (such as lithium cobalt oxide), causing electrode peeling and capacity decay.
- Salt will damage the battery separator, causing direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, increasing the risk of short circuit.
b. Electrolyte contamination
- After seawater penetrates into the battery, it may dilute or contaminate the electrolyte, resulting in reduced ion transmission efficiency and permanent damage to battery performance.
c. Structural damage
- If the battery shell is corroded by seawater, it may crack or deform, further exacerbating electrolyte leakage.
III. Wrong operation: Don't do these behaviors!
a. Try to charge or turn on the battery
Even if the battery seems dry, the risk of internal short circuit still exists, and charging may cause an explosion.
b. Rinse the battery with clean water
Although fresh water can dilute salt, it may accelerate electrochemical corrosion inside the battery and expand the scope of damage.
c. Disassemble the battery yourself
- Lithium batteries contain high-voltage electrolytes and flammable substances. Non-professional operations can easily cause fires or poisoning.
d. Exposure or high-temperature drying
- High temperatures will accelerate the chemical reaction inside the battery and increase the risk of thermal runaway (such as fire).
IV. Correct handling steps: respond in stages
a. Emergency treatment (first time)
- Remove the battery by power off: as described in step 1.
- Surface cleaning: Gently wipe the seawater remaining on the surface of the battery with a dry cloth to avoid salt crystallization and aggravated corrosion.
b. Stand and observe (24-48 hours)
- Place the battery in a dry, ventilated safe area away from electronic devices and flammable materials.
- Observe whether the battery is bulging, leaking, abnormally hot or smelly. If so, take emergency measures immediately (see below).
c. Professional testing or scrapping
- Contact the original manufacturer or professional organization: If the battery is of high value (such as drone batteries), you can ask the manufacturer whether it provides repair services.
- Scrapping: If the battery is bulging, leaking or cannot be used normally, it must be treated as hazardous waste and cannot be discarded at will.
d. Emergency treatment (battery abnormality)
- If the battery smokes or catches fire, immediately use a dry powder fire extinguisher to put out the fire (do not use water) and stay away from the scene.
V. Preventive measures: reduce the risk of seawater immersion
a. Choose waterproof equipment
- Use equipment with IP67/IP68 waterproof rating (such as waterproof mobile phones and cameras) at the seaside.
- Equip drones, power tools, etc. with waterproof protective covers.
b. Moisture-proof spare batteries
- Seal spare batteries in waterproof bags to avoid direct exposure to humid environments.
c. Check the sealing of equipment regularly
- Check whether the waterproof rubber plugs of the mobile phone charging port and headphone jack are intact to prevent seawater penetration.
VI. Summary: Scientific response, safety first
- After the lithium battery is soaked in seawater, the possibility of repair is extremely low. Do not use it at the risk of luck.
- Safety is always the first principle: power off, isolation, observation, professional treatment, every step cannot be ignored.
- Prevention is far better than remediation: Use waterproof equipment in high-risk environments and take protective measures in advance.
Reminder: lithium batteries are dangerous goods, and any abnormal situation must be handled with caution. If you are not sure how to proceed, it is recommended to contact the fire department or environmental protection agency for help.
