Recovery of Li, Ni, Co and Mn from spent lithium-ion batteries assisted by organic acids: Process optimization and leaching mechanism

The proper recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)can promote the recovery and utilization of valuable resources,while also negative environmental effects resulting from the presence of toxic and hazardous substances.In this study,a new environmentally friendly hydro-metallurgical process was proposed for leaching lithium(Li),nickel(Ni),cobalt(Co),and manganese(Mn)from spent LIBs using sulfuric acid with citric acid as a reductant.The effects of the concentration of sulfuric acid,the leaching temperature,the leaching time,the solid-liquid ratio,and the reducing agent dosage on the leaching behavior of the above elements were investigated.Key parameters were optimized using response surface methodology(RSM)to maximize the recovery of metals from spent LIBs.The maxim-um recovery efficiencies of Li,Ni,Co,and Mn can reach 99.08%,98.76%,98.33%,and 97.63%.under the optimized conditions(the sulfuric acid concentration was 1.16 mol/L,the citric acid dosage was 15wt%,the solid-liquid ratio was 40 g/L,and the temperature was 83℃ for 120 min),respectively.It was found that in the collaborative leaching process of sulfuric acid and citric acid,the citric acid initially provided strong reducing CO_(2)^(-),and the transition metal ions in the high state underwent a reduction reaction to produce transition metal ions in the low state.Additionally,citric acid can also act as a proton donor and chelate with lower-priced transition metal ions,thus speeding up the dissolution process.

Selective leaching of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries using sulfuric acid and oxalic acid

Traditional hydrometallurgical methods for recovering spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)involve acid leaching to simultaneously extract all valuable metals into the leachate.These methods usually are followed by a series of separation steps such as precipitation,extraction,and stripping to separate the individual valuable metals.In this study,we present a process for selectively leaching lithium through the synergistic effect of sulfuric and oxalic acids.Under optimal leaching conditions(leaching time of 1.5 h,leaching temperature of 70°C,liquid-solid ratio of 4 mL/g,oxalic acid ratio of 1.3,and sulfuric acid ratio of 1.3),the lithium leaching efficiency reached89.6%,and the leaching efficiencies of Ni,Co,and Mn were 12.8%,6.5%,and 21.7%.X-ray diffraction(XRD)and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES)analyses showed that most of the Ni,Co,and Mn in the raw material remained as solid residue oxides and oxalates.This study offers a new approach to enriching the relevant theory for selectively recovering lithium from spent LIBs.

Unveiling the tailorable electrochemical properties of zeolitic imidazolate framework-derived Ni-doped LiCoO_(2) for lithium-ion batteries in half/full cells

As a prevailing cathode material of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),LiCoO_(2)(LCO)still encounters the tricky problems of structural collapse,whose morphological engineering and cation doping are crucial for surmounting the mechanical strains and alleviating phase degradation upon cycling.Hereinafter,we propose a strategy using a zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF)as the self-sacrificing template to directionally prepare a series of LiNi_(0.1)Co_(0.9)O_(2)(LNCO)with tailorable electrochemical properties.The rational selection of sintering temperature imparts the superiority of the resultant products in lithium storage,during which the sample prepared at 700℃(LNCO-700)outperforms its counterparts in cyclability(156.8 mA h g^(-1)at 1 C for 200 cycles in half cells,1 C=275 mA g^(-1))and rate capability due to the expedited ion/electron transport and the strengthen mechanical robustness.The feasibility of proper Ni doping is also divulged by half/full cell tests and theoretical study,during which LNCO-700(167 mA h g^(-1)at 1 C for 100 cycles in full cells)surpasses LCO-700 in battery performance due to the mitigated phase deterioration,stabilized layered structu re,ameliorated electro nic co nductivity,a nd exalted lithium sto rage activity.This work systematically unveils tailorable electrochemical behaviors of LNCO to better direct their practical application.

Thermodynamic equilibrium theory-guided design and synthesis of Mg-doped LiFe_(0.4)Mn_(0.6)PO_(4)/C cathode for lithium-ion batteries

Mn-rich LiFe_(1-x)Mn_(x)PO_(4)(x>0.5),which combines the high operation voltage of LiMnPO_(4)with excellent rate performa nce of LiFePO4,is hindered by its sluggish kinetic properties.Herein,thermodynamic equilibrium analysis of Mn^(2+)-Fe^(2+)-Mg^(2+)-C_(2)O_(4)^(2-)-H_(2)O system is used to guide the design and preparation of insitu Mg-doped(Fe_(0.4)Mn_(0.6))_(1-x)Mg_(x)C_(2)O_(4)intermediate,which is then employed as an innovative precursor to synthesize high-performance Mg-doped LiFe_(0.4)Mn_(0.6)PO_(4).It indicates that the metal ions with a high precipitation efficiency and the stoichiometric precursors with uniform element distribution can be achieved under the optimized thermodynamic conditions.Meanwhile,accelerated Li+diffusivity and reduced charge transfer resistance originating from Mg doping are verified by various kinetic characterizations.Benefiting from the contributions of inherited homogeneous element distribution,small particle size,uniform carbon layer coating,enhanced Li+migration ability and structural stability induced by Mg doping,the Li(Fe_(0.4)Mn_(0.6))_(0.97)Mg_(0.03)PO_(4)/C exhibits splendid electrochemical performance.

Nano-alumina@cellulose-coated separators with the reinforcedconcrete-like structure for high-safety lithium-ion batteries

Separators play a critical role in the safety and performance of lithium-ion batteries.However,commercial polyolefin separators are limited by their poor affinity with electrolytes and low melting points.In this work,we constructed a reinforced-concrete-like structure by homogeneously dispersing nano-Al_(2)O_(3) and cellulose on the separators to improve their stability and performance.In this reinforcedconcrete-like structure,the cellulose is a reinforcing mesh,and the nano-Al_(2)O_(3) acts as concrete to support the separator.After constructing the reinforced-concrete-like structure,the separators exhibit good stability even at 200℃(thermal shrinkage of 0.3%),enhanced tensile strain(tensile stress of 133.4 MPa and tensile strains of 62%),and better electrolyte wettability(a contact angle of 6.5°).Combining these advantages,the cells with nano-Al_(2)O_(3)@cellulose-coated separators exhibit stable cycling performance and good rate performance.Therefore,the construction of the reinforced-concretelike structure is a promising technology to promote the application of lithium-ion batteries in extreme environments.

A review of data-driven whole-life state of health prediction for lithium-ion batteries:Data preprocessing,aging characteristics,algorithms,and future challenges

Lithium-ion batteries are the preferred green energy storage method and are equipped with intelligent battery management systems(BMSs)that efficiently manage the batteries.This not only ensures the safety performance of the batteries but also significantly improves their efficiency and reduces their damage rate.Throughout their whole life cycle,lithium-ion batteries undergo aging and performance degradation due to diverse external environments and irregular degradation of internal materials.This degradation is reflected in the state of health(SOH)assessment.Therefore,this review offers the first comprehensive analysis of battery SOH estimation strategies across the entire lifecycle over the past five years,highlighting common research focuses rooted in data-driven methods.It delves into various dimensions such as dataset integration and preprocessing,health feature parameter extraction,and the construction of SOH estimation models.These approaches unearth hidden insights within data,addressing the inherent tension between computational complexity and estimation accuracy.To enha nce support for in-vehicle implementation,cloud computing,and the echelon technologies of battery recycling,remanufacturing,and reuse,as well as to offer insights into these technologies,a segmented management approach will be introduced in the future.This will encompass source domain data processing,multi-feature factor reconfiguration,hybrid drive modeling,parameter correction mechanisms,and fulltime health management.Based on the best SOH estimation outcomes,health strategies tailored to different stages can be devised in the future,leading to the establishment of a comprehensive SOH assessment framework.This will mitigate cross-domain distribution disparities and facilitate adaptation to a broader array of dynamic operation protocols.This article reviews the current research landscape from four perspectives and discusses the challenges that lie ahead.Researchers and practitioners can gain a comprehensive understanding of battery SOH estimation methods,offering valuable insights for the development of advanced battery management systems and embedded application research.

Metal-organic frameworks and their composites for advanced lithium-ion batteries:Synthesis,progress and prospects

Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)are among the most promising materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)owing to their high surface area,periodic porosity,adjustable pore size,and controllable chemical composition.For instance,their unique porous structures promote electrolyte penetration,ions transport,and make them ideal for battery separators.Regulating the chemical composition of MOF can introduce more active sites for electrochemical reactions.Therefore,MOFs and their related composites have been extensively and thoroughly explored for LIBs.However,the reported reviews solely include the applications of MOFs in the electrode materials of LIBs and rarely involve other aspects.A systematic review of the application of MOFs in LIBs is essential for understanding the mechanism of MOFs and better designing related MOFs battery materials.This review systematically evaluates the latest developments in pristine MOFs and MOF composites for LIB applications,including MOFs as the main materials(anode,cathode,separators,and electrolytes)to auxiliary materials(coating layers and additives for electrodes).Furthermore,the synthesis,modification methods,challenges,and prospects for the application of MOFs in LIBs are discussed.

The principle and amelioration of lithium plating in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries

Fast charging is restricted primarily by the risk of lithium(Li)plating,a side reaction that can lead to the rapid capacity decay and dendrite-induced thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).Investigation on the intrinsic mechanism and the position of Li plating is crucial to improving the fast rechargeability and safety of LIBs.Herein,we investigate the Li plating behavior in porous electrodes under the restricted transport of Li^(+).Based on the theoretical model,it can be concluded that the Li plating on the anodeseparator interface(ASI)is thermodynamically feasible and kinetically advantageous.Meanwhile,the prior deposition of metal Li on the ASI rather than the anode-current collector interface(ACI)is verified experimentally.In order to facilitate the transfer of Li^(+)among the electrode and improve the utilization of active materials without Li plating,a bilayer asymmetric anode composed of graphite and hard carbon(GH)is proposed.Experimental and simulation results suggest that the GH hybrid electrode homogenizes the lithiated-rate throughout the electrode and outperforms the pure graphite electrode in terms of the rate performance and inhibition of Li plating.This work provides new insights into the behavior of Li plating and the rational design of electrode structure.

Thermal characteristic evolution of lithium-ion batteries during the whole lifecycle

This work extensively investigates the thermal characteristic evolution of lithium-ion batteries under different degradation paths,and the evolution mechanism through multi-angle characterization is revealed.Under different degradation paths,the evolution trend of temperature rise rate remains unchanged with respect to depth of discharge during the adiabatic discharge process,albeit to varying degrees of alteration.The temperature rise rate changes significantly with aging during the adiabatic discharge process under low-temperature cycling and high-rate cycling paths.The total heat generation rate,irreversible heat generation rate,and reversible heat generation rate exhibit similar evolution behavior with aging under different degradation paths.The interval range of endothermic process of reversible electrochemical reactions increases and the contribution of irreversible heat to the total heat increases with aging.To further standardize the assessment of different degradation paths on the thermal characteristics,this work introduces the innovative concept of“Ampere-hour temperature rise”.In low-temperature cycling and high-rate cycling paths,the ampere-hour temperature rise increases significantly with aging,particularly accentuated with higher discharge rates.Conversely,in high-temperature cycling and high-temperature storage paths,the ampere-hour temperature rise remains relatively stable during the initial stages of aging,yet undergoes a notable increase in the later stages of aging.The multi-angle characterization reveals distinct thermal evolution behavior under different degradation paths primarily attributed to different behavior changes of severe side reactions,such as lithium plating.The findings provide crucial insights for the safe utilization and management of lithium–ion batteries throughout the whole lifecycle.

Pyrometallurgical recycling of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries

The global importance of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)has been increasingly underscored with the advancement of high-performance energy storage technologies.However,the end-of-life of these batteries poses significant challenges from environmental,economic,and resource management perspectives.This review paper focuses on the pyrometallurgy-based recycling process of lithium-ion batteries,exploring the fundamental understanding of this process and the importance of its optimization.Centering on the high energy consumption and emission gas issues of the pyrometallurgical recycling process,we systematically analyzed the capital-intensive nature of this process and the resulting technological characteristics.Furthermore,we conducted an in-depth discussion on the future research directions to overcome the existing technological barriers and limitations.This review will provide valuable insights for researchers and industry stakeholders in the battery recycling field.

Multi-scale design of silicon/carbon composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries:A review

Silicon/carbon composites,which integrate the high lithium storage performance of silicon with the exceptional mechanical strength and conductivity of carbon,will replace the traditional graphite electrodes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries.Various strategies have been designed to synthesize silicon/carbon composites for tackling the issues of anode pulverization and poor stability in the anodes,thereby improving the lithium storage ability.The effect of the regulation method at each scale on the final negative electrode performance remains unclear.However,it has not been fully clarified how the regulation methods at each scale influence the final anode performance.This review will categorize the materials structure into three scales:molecular scale,nanoscale,and microscale.First,the review will examine modification methods at the molecular scale,focusing on the interfacial bonding force between silicon and carbon.Next,it will summarize various nanostructures and special shapes in the nanoscale to explore the construction of silicon/carbon composites.Lastly,the review will provide an analysis of microscale control approaches,focusing on the formation of composite particle with micron size and the utilization of micro-Si.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multi-scale design of silicon/carbon composite anode materials and their optimization strategies to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Selective lithium recovery and regeneration of ternary cathode from spent lithium-ion batteries:Mixed HCl-H_(2)SO_(4) leaching-spray pyrolysis approach

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) is crucial for environmental protection and resource sustainability.However,the economic recovery of spent LIBs remains challenging due to low Li recovery efficiency and the need for multiple separation operations.Here,we propose a process involving mixed HCl-H_(2)SO_(4) leaching-spray pyrolysis for recycling spent ternary LIBs,achieving both selective Li recovery and the preparation of a ternary oxide precursor.Specifically,the process transforms spent ternary cathode(LiNi_(x)Co_yMn_(2)O_(2),NCM) powder into Li_(2)SO_(4) solution and ternary oxide,which can be directly used for synthesizing battery-grade Li_(2)CO_(3) and NCM cathode,respectively.Notably,SO_(4)^(2-) selectively precipitates with Li^(+) to form thermostable Li_(2)SO_(4) during the spray pyrolysis,which substantially improves the Li recovery efficiency by inhibiting Li evaporation and intercalation.Besides,SO_(2) emissions are avoided by controlling the molar ratio of Li^(+)/SO_(4)^(2-)(≥2:1),The mechanism of the preferential formation of Li_(2)SO_(4) is interpreted from its reverse solubility variation with temperature.During the recycling of spent NCM811,92% of Li is selectively recovered,and the regenerated NCM811 exhibits excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 81.7% after 300 cycles at 1 C.This work offers a simple and robust process for the recycling of spent NCM cathodes.

Mg-doped,carbon-coated,and prelithiated SiO_(x) as anode materials with improved initial Coulombic efficiency for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon suboxide(SiO_(x),x≈1)is promising in serving as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries with high capacity,but it has a low initial Coulombic efficiency(ICE)due to the irreversible formation of lithium silicates during the first cycle.In this work,we modify SiO_(x) by solid-phase Mg doping reaction using low-cost Mg powder as a reducing agent.We show that Mg reduces SiO_(2) in SiO_(x) to Si and forms MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4).The MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4) are mainly distributed on the surface of SiO_(x),which suppresses the irreversible lithium-ion loss and enhances the ICE of SiO_(x).However,the formation of MgSiO_(3) or Mg_(2)SiO_(4) also sacrifices the capacity of SiO_(x).Therefore,by controlling the reaction process between Mg and SiO_(x),we can tune the phase composition,proportion,and morphology of the Mg-doped SiO_(x) and manipulate the performance.We obtain samples with a capacity of 1226 mAh g^(–1) and an ICE of 84.12%,which show significant improvement over carbon-coated SiO_(x) without Mg doping.By the synergistical modification of both Mg doping and prelithiation,the capacity of SiO_(x) is further increased to 1477 mAh g^(–1) with a minimal compromise in the ICE(83.77%).

A novel order-reduced thermal-coupling electrochemical model for lithium-ion batteries

Although the single-particle model enhanced with electrolyte dynamics(SPMe)is simplified from the pseudo-twodimensional(P2D)electrochemical model for lithium-ion batteries,it is difficult to solve the partial differential equations of solid–liquid phases in real-time applications.Moreover,working temperatures have a heavy impact on the battery behavior.Hence,a thermal-coupling SPMe is constructed.Herein,a lumped thermal model is established to estimate battery temperatures.The order of the SPMe model is reduced by using both transfer functions and truncation techniques and merged with Arrhenius equations for thermal effects.The polarization voltage drop is then modified through the use of test data because its original model is unreliable theoretically.Finally,the coupling-model parameters are extracted using genetic algorithms.Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model produces average errors of about 42 mV under 15 constant current conditions and 15 mV under nine dynamic conditions,respectively.This new electrochemicalthermal coupling model is reliable and expected to be used for onboard applications.

Aqueous electrochemical delithiation of cathode materials as a strategy to selectively recover lithium from waste lithium-ion batteries

Lithium recovery from end-of-life Li-ion batteries(LIBs)through pyro-and hydrometallurgical recycling processes involves several refining stages,with high consumption of reagents and energy.A competitive technological alternative is the electrochemical oxidation of the cathode materials,whereby lithium can be deintercalated and transferred to an electrolyte solution without the aid of chemical extracting compounds.This article investigates the potential to selectively recover Li from LIB cathode materials by direct electrochemical extraction in aqueous solutions.The process allowed to recovering up to 98%of Li from high-purity commercial cathode materials(LiMn_(2)O_(4),LiCoO_(2),and Li Ni_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)Co_(1/3)O_(2))with a faradaic efficiency of 98%and negligible co-extraction of Co,Ni,and Mn.The process was then applied to recover Li from the real waste LIBs black mass obtained by the physical treatment of electric vehicle battery packs.This black mass contained graphite,conductive carbon,and metal impurities from current collectors and steel cases,which significantly influenced the evolution and performances of Li electrochemical extraction.Particularly,due to concomitant oxidation of impurities,lithium extraction yields and faradaic efficiencies were lower than those obtained with high-purity cathode materials.Copper oxidation was found to occur within the voltage range investigated,but it could not quantitatively explain the reduced Li extraction performances.In fact,a detailed investigation revealed that above 1.3 V vs.Ag/Ag Cl,conductive carbon can be oxidized,contributing to the decreased Li extraction.Based on the reported experimental results,guidelines were provided that quantitatively enable the extraction of Li from the black mass,while preventing the simultaneous oxidation of impurities and,consequently,reducing the energy consumption of the proposed Li recovery method.

Omni-functional simultaneous interfacial treatment for enhancing stability and outgassing suppression of lithium-ion batteries

Ni-rich layered oxides in lithium-ion batteries have problems with gas generation and electrochemical performance reduction due to residual lithium's reaction on the surface with the electrolyte.To address this issue,in this study,the Acid solvent evaporation(AsE)method has been proposed as a potential method to remove residual lithium while promoting the formation of a new LiNO_(3)-derived coating layer on the cathode surface.The reduction of residual lithium using the ASE method and the construction of a LiNO_(3)-derived coating layer suppresses gas evolution caused by the side effects of the electrolyte,improves electrochemical performance,and improves thermal stability by facilitating the smooth movement of lithium ions.Furthermore,the structural stability and resistance change due to the LiNO_(3)-derived coating layer effects is guaranteed through cycling and DCIR of the pouch cell.As a result,compared to Pristine,the capacity retention of coin cells increased by 8%after 100 cycles,and pouch cells increased by 25%after 160 cycles.In addition,after cycling the pouch cell,CO_(2) gas has significantly reduced by about 30%compared to Pristine using gas chromatography.The ASE method effectively forms a robust LiNO_(3)-derived coating layer on the cathode active material,which helps minimize electrolyte reactivity,suppress ,CO_(2) emissions,enhance surface structure stability,improve thermal stability,and improveoverallbatteryperformance.

Progress in doping and crystal deformation for polyanions cathode based lithium-ion batteries

Polyanion-based materials are considered one of the most attractive and promising cathode materials for lithiumion batteries(LIBs)due to their good stability,safety,cost-effectiveness,suitable voltages,and minimal environmental impact.However,these materials suffer from poor rate capability and low-temperature performance owing to limited electronic and ionic conductivity,which restricts their practical applicability.Recent developments,such as coating material particles with carbon or a conductive polymer,crystal deformation through the doping of foreign metal ions,and the production of nanostructured materials,have significantly enhanced the electrochemical performances of these materials.The successful applications of polyanion-based materials,especially in lithium-ion batteries,have been extensively reported.This comprehensive review discusses the current progress in crystal deformation in polyanion-based cathode materials,including phosphates,fluorophosphates,pyrophosphates,borates,silicates,sulfates,fluorosilicates,and oxalates.Therefore,this review provides detailed discussions on their synthesis strategies,electrochemical performance,and the doping of various ions.

Electrothermal Model Based Remaining Charging Time Prediction of Lithium-Ion Batteries against Wide Temperature Range

Battery remaining charging time(RCT)prediction can facilitate charging management and alleviate mileage anxiety for electric vehicles(EVs).Also,it is of great significance to improve EV users’experience.However,the RCT for a lithiumion battery pack in EVs changes with temperature and other battery parameters.This study proposes an electrothermal model-based method to accurately predict battery RCT.Firstly,a characteristic battery cell is adopted to represent the battery pack,thus an equivalent circuit model(ECM)of the characteristic battery cell is established to describe the electrical behaviors of a battery pack.Secondly,an equivalent thermal model(ETM)of the battery pack is developed by considering the influence of ambient temperature,thermal management,and battery connectors in the battery pack to calculate the temperature which is then fed back to the ECM to realize electrothermal coupling.Finally,the RCT prediction method is proposed based on the electrothermal model and validated in the wide temperature range from-20℃to 45℃.The experimental results show that the prediction error of the RCT in the whole temperature range is less than 1.5%.

Recent progress about transmission electron microscopy characterizations on lithium-ion batteries

With the rapid development of portable electronics,new energy vehicles,and smart grids,ion batteries are becoming one of the most widely used energy storage devices,while the safety concern of ion batteries has always been an urgent problem to be solved.To develop a safety-guaranteed battery,the characterization of the internal structure is indispensable,where electron microscopy plays a crucial role.Based on this,this paper summarizes the application of transmission electron microscopy(TEM)in battery safety,further concludes and analyzes the aspects of dendrite growth and solid electrolyte interface(SEI)formation that affect the safety of ion batteries,and emphasizes the importance of electron microscopy in battery safety research and the potential of these techniques to promote the future development of this field.These advanced electron microscopy techniques and their prospects are also discussed.

Ab Initio Design of Ni-Rich Cathode Material with Assistance of Machine Learning for High Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries

With the widespread use of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles,energy storage,and mobile terminals,there is an urgent need to develop cathode materials with specific properties.However,existing material control synthesis routes based on repetitive experiments are often costly and inefficient,which is unsuitable for the broader application of novel materials.The development of machine learning and its combination with materials design offers a potential pathway for optimizing materials.Here,we present a design synthesis paradigm for developing high energy Ni-rich cathodes with thermal/kinetic simulation and propose a coupled image-morphology machine learning model.The paradigm can accurately predict the reaction conditions required for synthesizing cathode precursors with specific morphologies,helping to shorten the experimental duration and costs.After the model-guided design synthesis,cathode materials with different morphological characteristics can be obtained,and the best shows a high discharge capacity of 206 mAh g^(−1)at 0.1C and 83%capacity retention after 200 cycles.This work provides guidance for designing cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries,which may point the way to a fast and cost-effective direction for controlling the morphology of all types of particles.