A paradigm-shift lithium-ion battery recycling method based on defect-targeted healing can fully recover the composition, structure, and electrochemical performance of spent LiFePO4 cathodes with various degradation conditions to the same levels as that of the pristine materials. Such a direct recycling approach can significantly reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to significant economic and environmental benefits compared with today's hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgic methods. This work may pave the way for industrial adoption of directly recycled lithium-ion battery materials.
Electrochemical synthesis of H 2 O 2 through a selective two-electron (2e −) oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an attractive alternative to the industrial anthraquinone oxidation method, as it allows decentralized H 2 O 2 production. Herein, we report that the synergistic interaction between partially oxidized palladium (Pd δ+) and oxygen-functionalized carbon can promote 2e − ORR in acidic electrolytes. An electrocatalyst synthesized by solution deposition of amorphous Pd δ+ clusters (Pd 3 δ+ and Pd 4 δ+) onto mildly oxidized carbon nanotubes (Pd δ+-OCNT) shows nearly 100% selectivity toward H 2 O 2 and a positive shift of ORR onset potential by~320 mV compared with the OCNT substrate. A high mass activity (1.946 A mg −1 at 0.45 V) of Pd δ+-OCNT is achieved. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure characterization and density functional theory calculations suggest that the interaction between Pd clusters and the nearby oxygen-containing functional groups is key for the high selectivity and activity for 2e − ORR.
Lithium metal batteries are capable of pushing cell energy densities beyond what is currently achievable with commercial Li-ion cells and are the ideal technology for supplying power to electronic devices...
Due to the large demand of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for energy storage in daily life and the limited lifetime of commercial LIB cells, exploring green and sustainable recycling methods becomes an urgent need to mitigate the environmental and economic issues associated with waste LIBs. In this work, we demonstrate an efficient direct recycling method to regenerate degraded lithium manganese oxide (LMO) cathodes to restore their high capacity, long cycling stability, and high rate performance, on par with pristine LMO materials. This one-step regeneration, achieved by a hydrothermal reaction in dilution Li-containing solution, enables the reconstruction of desired stoichiometry and microphase purity, which is further validated by testing spent LIBs with different states of health. Life-cycle analysis suggested the great environmental and economic benefits enabled by this direct regeneration method compared with today's pyro-and hydrometallurgical processes. This work not only represents a fundamental understanding of the relithiation mechanism of spent cathodes but also provides a potential solution for sustainable and closed-loop recycling and remanufacturing of energy materials.
Direct regeneration of spent Li-ion batteries based on the hydrothermal relithiation of cathode materials is a promising next-generation recycling technology. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach at a large scale, we systematically design and optimize the process parameters to minimize both energy and raw material costs. Specifically, the effects of regenerative processing parameters on the composition, structure, and electrochemical performance of the regenerated cathode materials are investigated via systematic characterization and testing. From this analysis, it was found that the raw material costs can be substantially reduced by either replacing the typically employed 4 M LiOH solution by a cost-effective mixture of 0.1 M LiOH and 3.9 M KOH or recycling of the concentrated 4 M LiOH for continuous relithiation processes. Life cycle analysis suggests that this strategy results in reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to an increased potential revenue, particularly when compared with hydro-and pyrometallurgical recycling methods.
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