Achieving Material and Energy Dual Circulations of Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries via Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

The electrification of transportation in the past few decades has sparked the retirement of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) which hinders sustainability derived from environmental impact and valuable elements loss through improper disposal. The challenges of recycling spent LIB are contamination, complicated processes, massive chemical/energy consumption, and secondary pollution. Here, a material and energy dual circulations method is proposed for a closed‐loop and sustainably recycling the components in spent LIBs. In the material circulation, the cathode, anode, and the accessories, like castings, aluminum‐plastic films, and binders, are recycled by electrochemical dual‐electrode recycling technology to regenerate LIBs and fabricate a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). In energy circulation, the fabricated TENG converts ambient wind energy into electricity to continuously power the material circulation by forming a self‐powered system. This system shows high element selectivity (Li, 99.7%; Ni, 96.1%; Co, 97.3%; and Mn, 97.2%), self‐powering, a simplified treating procedure, and high profit, which makes it feasible for commercial application.

Self-powered recycling of spent lithium iron phosphate batteries via triboelectric nanogenerator

“…Furthermore, in the conventional recycling of LFP batteries, the casings, aluminum-plastic film, separators and even the anode are discarded as waste after dismantling, and thus the full recovery of LIBs cannot be acheived. 19,20 This may also lead to secondary pollution. Thus, it is urgent to find a way to achieve the full utilization of all abandoned parts and develop an energy harvester that can offer power supply in a sustainable, clean and self-powered manner.…”