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.

Thermal decomposition kinetics of basic carbonate cobalt nanosheets obtained from spent Li-ion batteries:Deconvolution of overlapping complex reactions

A new non-isothermal method of kinetic analysis was employed to investigate the thermal decomposition kinetic modeling of the basic carbonate cobalt nanosheets（n-BCoC） synthesized from spent lithium-ion batteries（LIBs）. Fraser–Suzuki function was applied to deconvoluting overlapping complex processes from the overall differential thermal curves obtained under the linear heating rate conditions, followed by the kinetic analysis of the discrete processes using a new kinetic analysis method. Results showed that the decomposition of n-BCo C in air occurred through two consecutive reactions in the 136-270 ℃ temperature intervals. Decomposition started by hydroxide component（Co（OH）2） decomposition until to 65% and simultaneously carbonate phase decarbonation began. The process was continued by CO2 evolution and finally carbonate cobalt nanosheets have been produced. The reaction mechanism of the whole process can be kinetically characterized by two successive reactions： a phase boundary contracting reaction followed by an Avrami-Erofeev equation. Mechanistic information obtained by the kinetic study was in good agreement with FT-IR（Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy） and SEM（scanning electron microscopy） results.

Preparation of LiNi_(1/3)Co_(1/3)Mn_(1/3)O_2 cathode materials from spent Li-ion batteries

A recycling process including separation of electrode materials by ultrasonic treatment,acid leaching,Fe-removing,precipitation of cobalt,nickel,manganese and lithium has been applied successfully to recycle spent lithium-ion batteries and to synthesize LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2. When ultrasonic treatment with 2-nitroso-4-methylphenol(NMP) at 40 ℃ for 15 min,the electrode materials are separated completely. Above 99% of Co,Ni,Mn and Li,95% of Fe in the separated electrodes are acid-leached in the optimized conditions of 2 mol/L H2SO4,1∶2 H2O2-H2SO4(molar ratio),70 ℃,1∶10 initial S∶L ratio,and 1 h. 99.5% of Fe and less than 1% of Co,Ni,Mn in the leaching solution can be removed in the conditions of initial pH value 2.0-2.5 adjusted by adding 18% Na2CO3,90 ℃ and stirring time 3 h. After adjusted to be equal by adding NiSO4,CoSO4 and MnSO4 solution,97.1% of Ni,Co,Mn in the Fe-removing surplus leaching solution can be recovered as Ni1/3Co1/3Mn1/3(OH)2. 94.5% of Li in the surplus filtrate after the deposition of Co,Ni and Mn can be recovered as Li2CO3. The LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2,prepared from the recovered compounds,is found to have good characteristics of the layered structure and elecrtochemical performance.

Recycling technologies of spent lithium-ion batteries and future directions:A review

Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)are the most popular energy storage devices due to their high energy density,high operating voltage,and long cycle life.However,green and effective recycling methods are needed because LIBs contain heavy metals such as Co,Ni,and Mn and organic compounds inside,which seriously threaten human health and the environment.In this work,we review the current status of spent LIB recycling,discuss the traditional pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recovery processes,and summarize the existing short-process recovery technologies such as salt-assisted roasting,flotation processes,and direct recycling.Finally,we analyze the problems and potential research prospects of the current recycling process,and point out that the multidisciplinary integration of recycling will become the mainstream technology for the development of spent LIBs.

Progress,challenges,and prospects of spent lithium-ion batteries recycling:A review

The recycling and reutilization of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)have become an important measure to alleviate problems like resource scarcity and environmental pollution.Although some progress has been made,battery recycling technology still faces challenges in terms of efficiency,effectiveness and environmental sustainability.This review aims to systematically review and analyze the current status of spent LIB recycling,and conduct a detailed comparison and evaluation of different recycling processes.In addition,this review introduces emerging recycling techniques,including deep eutectic solvents,molten salt roasting,and direct regeneration,with the intent of enhancing recycling efficiency and diminishing environmental repercussions.Furthermore,to increase the added value of recycled materials,this review proposes the concept of upgrading recycled materials into high value-added functional materials,such as catalysts,adsorbents,and graphene.Through life cycle assessment,the paper also explores the economic and environmental impacts of current battery recycling and highlights the importance that future recycling technologies should achieve a balance between recycling efficiency,economics and environmental benefits.Finally,this review outlines the opportunities and challenges of recycling key materials for next-generation batteries,and proposes relevant policy recommendations to promote the green and sustainable development of batteries,circular economy,and ecological civilization.

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.

New insights into the pre-lithiation kinetics of single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes for long-life Li-ion batteries

Developing single-crystalline Ni-rich cathodes is an effective strategy to improve the safety and cycle life of Li-ion batteries(LIBs).However,the easy-to-loss of Li and O in high-temperature lithiation results in unsatisfactory ordered layered structure and stoichiometry.Herein,we demonstrate the synthesis of highly-ordered and fully-stoichiometric single-crystalline LiNi_(0.83)Co_(0.12)Mn_(0.05)O_(2)(SC-NCM83)cathodes by the regulation of pre-lithiation kinetics.The well-balanced pre-lithiation kinetics have been proved to greatly improve the proportion of layered phase in the intermediate by inhibiting the formation of metastable spinel phase,which promoted the rapid transformation of the intermediate into highly-ordered layered SC-NCM83 in the subsequent lithiation process.After coating a layer of Li_(2)O–B_(2)O_(3),the resultant cathodes deliver superior cycling stability with 90.9%capacity retention at 1C after 300 cycles in pouch-type full batteries.The enhancement mechanism has also been clarified.These findings exhibit fundamental insights into the pre-lithiation kinetics process for guiding the synthesis of high-quality singlecrystalline Ni-rich cathodes.

Revealing the key role of non-solvating diluents for fast-charging and low temperature Li-ion batteries

Fast-charging and low temperature operation are of vital importance for the further development of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),which is hindered by the utilization of conventional carbonate-based electrolytes due to their slow kinetics,narrow operating temperature and voltage range.Herein,an acetonitrile(AN)-based localized high-concentration electrolyte(LHCE)is proposed to retain liquid state and high ionic conductivity at ultra-low temperatures while possessing high oxidation stability.We originally reveal the excellent thermal shielding effect of non-solvating diluent to prevent the aggregation of Li^(+) solvates as temperature drops,maintaining the merits of fast Li transport and facile desolvation as at room temperature,which bestows the graphite electrode with remarkable low temperature performance(264 mA h g^(-1) at-20 C).Remarkably,an extremely high capacity retention of 97%is achieved for high-voltage high-energy graphite||NCM batteries after 250 cycles at-20 C,and a high capacity of 110 mA h g^(-1)(71%of its room-temperature capacity)is retained at-30°C.The study unveils the key role of the non-solvating diluents and provides instructive guidance in designing electrolytes towards fast-charging and low temperature LIBs.

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.

A comprehensive review on the resynthesis of ternary cathode active materials from the leachate of Li-ion batteries

This review highlights the importance of recovering valuable metals from spent Li-ion battery(LIB)cathodes through the resynthesis of cathode active materials(CAMs).The resynthesis process of CAMs,a promising recycling method that directly produces CAM precursors from LIB leachate,is explored.This process encompasses six key steps,including pretreatment,leaching,purification,adjustment of metal concentrations,precursor synthesis,and sintering.The review also investigates the potential introduction of impurity elements during CAM resynthesis and provides tolerance levels for these impurities based on thorough reference analysis.Additionally,it addresses challenges related to the commercialization of the resynthesis process.Notably,this review represents the first comprehensive assessment of CAM resynthesis,including the systematic evaluation of 12 impurity elements(Fe,Li,Al,Cu,C,P,F,Na,Cl,S,Mg,and Zn).Overall,this comprehensive review is poised to support the commercial development of resynthesized CAMs by offering valuable guidelines for managing impurities and streamlining the purification process.

Upcycling the spent graphite/LiCoO_(2) batteries for high-voltage graphite/LiCoPO_(4)-co-workable dual-ion batteries

The worldwide proliferation of portable electronics has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).However,traditional recycling methods still have limitations because of such huge amounts of spent LIBs.Therefore,we proposed an ecofriendly and sustainable double recycling strategy to concurrently reuse the cathode(LiCoO_(2))and anode(graphite)materials of spent LIBs and recycled LiCoPO_(4)/graphite(RLCPG)in Li^(+)/PF^(-)_(6) co-de/intercalation dual-ion batteries.The recycle-derived dualion batteries of Li/RLCPG show impressive electrochemical performance,with an appropriate discharge capacity of 86.2 mAh·g^(-1) at25 mA·g^(-1) and 69%capacity retention after 400 cycles.Dual recycling of the cathode and anode from spent LIBs avoids wastage of resources and yields cathode materials with excellent performance,thereby offering an ecofriendly and sustainable way to design novel secondary batteries.

Interface-reinforced solid-state electrochromic Li-ion batteries enabled by in-situ liquid-solid transitional plastic glues

The electrochromic Li-ion batteries(ELIBs) combine the functions of electrochromism and energy storage,realizing the display of energy-storage levels by visual signals. However, the accompanying interfacial issues including physical contact and(electro)chemical stability should be taken into account when the conventional liquid/gel electrolytes are replaced with solid-state counterparts. Herein, the in-situ liquid-solid transitional succinonitrile(SCN) plastic glues are constructed between electrodes and poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) polymer electrolytes, enabling an interface-reinforced solid-state ELIB.Specifically, the liquid SCN precursor can adequately wet electrode/PEO interfaces at high temperature,while it returns back to solid state at room temperature, leading to seamless interfacial contact and smooth ionic transfer without changing the solid state of the device. Moreover, the SCN interlayer suppresses the direct contact of PEO with electrodes containing high-valence metal ions, evoking the improved interfacial stability by inhibiting the oxidation of PEO. Therefore, the resultant solid-state ELIB with configuration of LiMn_(2)O_(4)/SCN-PEO-SCN/WO_(3) delivers an initial discharge capacity of 111 m A h g^(-1) along with a capacity retention of 88.3% after 200 cycles at 30 ℃. Meanwhile, the electrochromic function is integrated into the device by distinguishing its energy-storage levels through distinct color changes. This work proposes a promising solid-state ELIB with greatly reinforced interfacial compatibility by introducing in-situ solidified plastic glues.

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.

Li-Ion Transport Mechanisms in Selenide-Based Solid-State Electrolytes in Lithium-Metal Batteries:A Study of Li_(8)SeN_(2),Li_(7)PSe_(6),and Li_(6)PSe_(5)X(X=Cl,Br,I)

To achieve high-energy-density and safe lithium-metal batteries(LMBs),solid-state electrolytes(SSEs)that exhibit fast Li-ion conductivity and good stability against lithium metal are of great importance.This study presents a systematic exploration of selenide-based materials as potential SSE candidates.Initially,Li_(8)SeN_(2)and Li_(7)PSe_(6)were selected from 25 ternary selenides based on their ability to form stable interfaces with lithium metal.Subsequently,their favorable electronic insulation and mechanical properties were verified.Furthermore,extensive theoretical investigations were conducted to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms underlying Li-ion migration in Li_(8)SeN_(2),Li_(7)PSe_(6),and derived Li_(6)PSe_(5)X(X=Cl,Br,I).Notably,the highly favorable Li-ion conduction mechanism of vacancy diffusion was identified in Li6PSe5Cl and Li_(7)PSe_(6),which exhibited remarkably low activation energies of 0.21 and 0.23 eV,and conductivity values of 3.85×10^(-2)and 2.47×10^(-2)S cm^(-1)at 300 K,respectively.In contrast,Li-ion migration in Li_(8)SeN_(2)was found to occur via a substitution mechanism with a significant diffusion energy barrier,resulting in a high activation energy and low Li-ion conductivity of 0.54 eV and 3.6×10^(-6)S cm^(-1),respectively.Throughout this study,it was found that the ab initio molecular dynamics and nudged elastic band methods are complementary in revealing the Li-ion conduction mechanisms.Utilizing both methods proved to be efficient,as relying on only one of them would be insufficient.The discoveries made and methodology presented in this work lay a solid foundation and provide valuable insights for future research on SSEs for LMBs.

Atomistic understanding of capacity loss in LiNiO_(2)for high-nickel Li-ion batteries:First-principles study

Combining the first-principles calculations and structural enumeration with recognition,the delithiation process of LiNiO_(2)is investigated,where various supercell shapes are considered in order to obtain the formation energy of Li_(x)NiO_(2).Meanwhile,the voltage profile is simulated and the ordered phases of lithium vacancies corresponding to concentrations of 1/4,2/5,3/7,1/2,2/3,3/4,5/6,and 6/7 are predicted.To understand the capacity decay in the experiment during the charge/discharge cycles,deoxygenation and Li/Ni antisite defects are calculated,revealing that the chains of oxygen vacancies will be energetically preferrable.It can be inferred that in the absence of oxygen atom in high delithiate state,the diffusion of Ni atoms is facilitated and the formation of Li/Ni antisite is induced.

Two-dimensional MOF-based materials:Preparations and applications as electrodes in Li-ion batteries

Two-dimensional(2D)metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)are rapidly emerging as a unique class of mushrooming family of 2D materials offering distinctive features,such as hierarchical porosity,extensive surface area,easily available active sites,and versatile,adaptable structures.These promising characteristics have positioned them as highly appealing alternatives for a wide range of applications in energy storage technologies,including lithium batteries.Nevertheless,the poor conductivity and limited stability of 2D MOFs have limited their real applications in electrochemical energy storage.These limitations have therefore warranted ongoing research to enhance the performance of 2D MOFs.Given the significance of 2D MOF-based materials as an emerging class of advanced materials,a multitude of strategy has been devised to address these challenges such as synthesizing 2D conductive MOFs and derivatives along with 2D MOF hybridization.One promising approach involves the use of 2D MOF derivatives,including transition metal oxides,which due to their abundant unsatu rated active metal sites and shorter diffusion paths,offer superior electrochemical performance.Additionally,by combining pristine 2D MOFs with other materials,hybrid 2D MOF materials can be created.These hybrids,with their enhanced stability and conductivity,can be directly utilized as active materials in lithium batteries.In the present review,we categorize 2D MOF-based materials into three distinct groups:pristine 2D MOFs,2D MOFderived materials,and 2D MOF hybrid materials.The synthesis methods for each group,along with their specific applications as electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries,are discussed in detail.This comprehensive review provides insights into the potential of 2D MOFs while highlighting the opportunities and challenges that are present in this evolving field.

Effect of Heatpipe Array Condenser Section Length on Thermal Cooling of Li-Ion Batteries

One of the new methods for ensuring that the battery in a thermal energy storage system is kept at the proper temperature is the heat pipe-based ThermalManagement System(TMS).In this study,the improvement of cooling performance of a heat pipe based TMS is examined through the variation of condenser section length of heat pipes in an array.The TMSs with an array of heat pipes with different condenser section lengths are considered.The system performances are evaluated using a validated numerical method.The results show that a heat pipebased TMS provides the best cooling performance when a wavy-like variation is employed and when the condenser section length of the last set of the heat pipe in the array is greater than that of the penultimate set.The maximum cell temperature and the maximum temperature difference within the cell of this TMS are decreased by 4.2 K and 1.1 K,respectively,when compared to the typical heat pipe based TMS with zero variation in its condenser section length.Conclusively,the strategy offers an improvement in the thermal uniformity for all the TMS cases.

A review of cathode and electrolyte recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries: Recent technologies, processes and policies

Recently,lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),due to their superior performance,have been vastly applied in electronic,auto,and other industries,resulting in the generation of an increasing amount of spent LIBs.What’s worse,LIBs contained potentially toxic substances,including heavy metals,toxic and flammable electrolyte containing LiBF_(4),LiClO_(4),and LiPF_(6).Conventional disposal of spent LIBs via landfill or incineration exerts tremendous pressure on the environment.It was necessary to adopt efficient,low-cost,and environmentally friendly approaches to valorizing spent LIBs,which could not only alleviate the shortage of rare resources by recycling valuable ele-ments such as Cu,Li,Mn,Ni,Co,and Al,but also eliminate the pollution of harmful components in batteries and realize the recycling and sustainable industry related to consumer electronics and electric vehicles(EVs).Given this,this paper summarized the recycling technologies of spent LIBs,including pyrometallurgy(melting reduction and roasting methods)and hydrometallurgy(leaching,precipitation,extraction,ion-exchange,elec-trochemical,sol-gel methods),and electrolyte recycling(organic solvent extraction and supercritical extraction methods).Pyrometallurgy technologies had relatively decent metal recovery rates but were associated with high energy consumption and atmospheric emission issues.Hydrometallurgical technologies were more environ-mentally friendly and efficient in recovering spent LIBs,although disposing of the wastewater generated from the process remained a challenge.In addition,the different industrial processes and various countries’related policies of recycling spent LIBs were investigated.In the end,the outlooks and future directions of recycling spent LIBs were proposed.

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of Nano-Co_3O_4 Anode Materials from Spent Li-Ion Batteries for Lithium-Ion Batteries

A hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of cobalt oxalate from spent lithium-ion batteries was used to recycle cobalt compound by using alkali leaching, reductive acid leaching and chemical deposition of cobalt oxalate. The recycled cobalt oxalate was used to synthesize nano-Co3O4 anode material by sol-gel method. The samples were characterized by thermal gravity analysis and differential thermal analysis （TGA/DTA）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and charge/discharge measurements. The influence of molar ratio of Co2＋ to citric acid and calcination temperature on the structure and electrochemical performance of nano-Co3O4 was evaluated. As the molar ratio of Co2＋ to citric acid is 1：1, the face-centered cubic （fcc） Co3O4 powder shows the discharge capacity of 760.9 mA h g-1, the high coulombic efficiency of 99.7% in the first cycle at the current density of 125 mA g-l, and the excellent cycling performance with the reversible capacity of 442.3 mA h g-1 after 20 cycles at the current density of 250 mA g-1.

Structural evolution of layered oxide cathodes for spent Li-ion batteries:Degradation mechanism and repair strategy

Sustainable development has long been recognized as one of the most critical issues in today’s energy and environment-conscious society.It has never been more urgent to recycle and reuse the end-of-life cathode materials.Here,this work systematically investigates the structure-critical degradation mechanism of polycrystalline LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(1−x−y)O_(2)(NCM),combining experimental characterization and DFT simulations.Targeting the key degradation factors,a synergistic repair strategy based on deep mechanochemical activation and heat treatment was successfully proposed to direct regenerate the degradedNCMmaterial.Studies indicate the induction and promotion of synergistic repair technique on the reconstruction of particlemorphology,the recovery of the chemical composition and crystal structure,and the favorable transformation of the impurities phase in the failed materials.In particular,the synergistic repair process induces a gradient distribution of LiF and further enables partial fluorine doping into the NCM surface,forming abundant oxygen vacancies and increasing the content of highly reactive Ni2+.Benefiting from the comprehensive treatment for the multi-scale and multi-form degradation behaviors,the repaired material exhibits a capacity of 176.8 mA h g^(-1)at 0.1 C,which is comparable to the corresponding commercial material(172.8 mA h g^(-1)).The satisfactory capacity of the recovered cathode proves that it is an effective direct renovating strategy.