Invited Review Reduction,reuse and recycle of spent Li-ion batteries for automobiles:A review

The demand for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) for vehicles is increasing. However, LIBs use valuable rare metals, such as Co and Li, aswell as environmentally toxic reagents. LIBs are also necessary to utilize for a long period and to recycle useful materials. The reduction, reuse,and recycle (3R) of spent LIBs is an important consideration in constructing a circular economy. In this paper, a flowsheet of the 3R of LIBs isproposed and methods to reduce the utilization of valuable rare metals and the amount of spent LIBs by remanufacturing used parts and designingnew batteries considering the concept of 3R are described. Next, several technological processes for the reuse and recycling of LIBs are introduced.These technologies include discharge, sorting, crushing, binder removal, physical separation, and pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgicalprocessing. Each process, as well as the related physical, chemical, and biological treatments, are discussed. Finally, the problem of developedtechnologies and future subjects for 3R of LIBs are described.

Microstructure,mechanical and corrosion properties of TiN/Ni nanomultilayered films

Nanomultilayered TiN/Ni thin films with different bilayer periods(57.8-99.7 nm) and Ni single-layer thickness(3.9-19.2 nm) were prepared by alternatively sputtering Ti and Ni targets in N2 gas atmosphere.The micros tructure,mechanical and corrosion properties of the multilayer films were investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD),field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),nanoindenter and electrochemical technologies.The multilayer films are fine with a mean grain size of ~8-9 nm independent of the bilayer period.However,the smoothness and compactness seem to decrease with the bilayer period increasing.The hardness(H) and elastic modulus(E) of the multilayer films gradually decrease as the bilayer period increases,and the multilayer film with bilayer period of 57.8 nm exhibits higher H,ratios of(H/E^*and H^3/E^*2)(E^*is effective Young’s modulus)than the monolithic TiN film and the other multilayers.The multilayer films exhibit an obvious passivation phenomenon in 10% H2SO4 solution,and the passive current and corrosion current densities decrease,whereas the corrosion potential increases when the bilayer period or Ni single-layer thickness decreases.It is found that the passivating behavior and corrosion potential of the multilayers are more sensitive to Ni single-layer thickness than the bilayer period.More corrosion pits and lamellar flaking could be found on the films with larger bilayer period or Ni single-layer thickness.

Influence of bias voltage on structure,mechanical and corrosion properties of reactively sputtered nanocrystalline TiN films

Nanocrystalline TiN films were prepared by DC reactive magnetron sputtering.The influence of substrate biases on structure,mechanical and corrosion properties of the deposited films was studied using X-ray diffraction,field emission scanning electron microscopy,nanoindentation and electrochemical techniques.The deposited films have a columnar structure,and their preferential orientation strongly depends on bias voltage.The preferential orientations change from（200）plane at low bias to（111）plane at moderate bias and then to（220）plane at relatively high bias.Nanohardness H,elastic modulus E,H/E＊and H3/E＊2 ratios,and corrosion resistance of the deposited films increase first and then decrease with the increase in bias voltage.All the best values appear at bias of-120 V,attributing to the film with a fine,compact and less defective structure.This demonstrates that there is a close relation among microstructure,mechanical and corrosion properties of the TiN films,and the film with the best mechanical property can also provide the most effective corrosion protection.