Direct Recycling of Cathode Active Materials from EV Li-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Direct recycling of Li-ion batteries is a promising and low-cost recycling technology since the process recovers values of active materials directly without converting active materials into metal elements. However, the process is challenging from a separation perspective due to purity requirement. Herein, a new physical separation system was developed to recycle and produce ultra-high purity of cathode active materials from EV Li-ion batteries. Results showed that the recycled cathode active material product contained 99% purity of active materials with less than 500 ppm of aluminum and copper. Both the stoichimetry and structure of the recycled cathode active materials remained the same compared with those collected manually from electrode sheets. Results obtained from electrochemical testing showed that the capacity of the recycled materials was comparable to that of pristine cathode active materials, despite there was a lithium loss associated with battery charging and discharging. The present result demonstrates a viable direct recycling process for electric vehicle Li-ion batteries.

Development of high voltage electric pulse charging and discharging device based on functional materials

“…In terms of charging and discharging devices, a reversible rectifier high-capacity charging and discharging power supply with SVPWM technology is necessary, characterized by an integrated charging and discharging main circuit that is both a charging circuit and a discharging inverter energy recovery circuit [24][25][26] . This allows for compact equipment, improved device utilization, and pulsed charging and discharging functions along with conventional charging and discharging.…”