A Comprehensive Review of the Advancement in Recycling the Anode and Electrolyte from Spent Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Owing to the increasing pressure on the ecological effect of solid waste disposal and developing the need for disposal of the corresponding hazardous metals, recovery of spent lithium ion batteries (LIBs) has gain worldwide attention in recent years. Much work has been done in this regard in the past few decades, and several new, interesting, and unique methods have been developed to recycle the cathode, anode, and electrolyte. Therefore, time has come to summarize the highlights in this emerging area to facilitate young researchers. In this review, starting from the current market demand and commercial value of lithium ion batteries, we have summarized the most recent progress in the direction of recycling the cathode and anode materials and electrolyte. At the beginning, an overview of the recycling techniques is presented to grasp understanding of the topic. Later, laboratory and industrial investigations and implementation are reviewed with emphasis on anode (graphite) and electrolyte recovery. Life cycle assessment of end-of-life LIB recycling, limitations, and future efforts have also mentioned to focus on improving the efficiency of metal extraction and separation with the sustainable and systematic recycling of spent lithium ion batteries.

A unique co-recovery strategy of cathode and anode from spent LiFePO4 battery

“…Pyrometallurgy primarily smelts valuable metals into new alloys at high temperatures, consuming extremely high energy. Furthermore, anodes and electrolytes are oxidized and provide energy for the smelting process [16,17]. Moreover, the process emits a considerable amount of polluting greenhouse gases and exerting massive pressure on the environment.…”

A sustainable approach to cathode delamination using a green solvent

“…[26][27][28] While toxic organic solvents have been explored in the literature, an advanced cathode delamination technique involving biobased and environmentally benign reagents remains elusive and of great interest to nd with easy availability and low cost. 16,29,30 Recently, the use of dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) was reported in fabricating a PVDF based ultra and microltration membrane, demonstrating a potential solvent alternative to NMP. 31 DMI is a sugar based solvent, known as one of the top 10 bioderived chemicals, 32 and commercially used in pharmaceutical additives and personal care products due to its non-toxic nature and water solubility.…”

Full recycling of spent lithium ion batteries with production of core-shell nanowires//exfoliated graphite asymmetric supercapacitor

“…The application of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) has been steadily increasing over the past decades, driven by the growing market of consumer electronics. A further growth in the LIBs market has been recently observed, stimulated by the increasing diffusion of electric vehicles and by the need for storing the energy produced from discontinuous renewable sources [1]. Accordingly, a huge amount of end-of-life LIBs will be disposed in the next years, and efficient processes for LIBs recycling become fundamental in view of the potential threat to environmental and human safety represented by exhaust electrode materials.…”