Mechanochemical Process Enhanced Cobalt and Lithium Recycling from Wasted Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Cobalt (Co) and lithium (Li), rare and valuable elements, are mainly used to prepare lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) for applications in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Developing an effective method to recover Co and Li from the waste LIBs is of great significance. In the present study, Co and Li were extracted from pure LiCoO2 powders and the extracted cathode materials powders from the waste LIBs after acid dissolution via a mechanochemical reduction process with iron powders. For pure LiCoO2 powders, the effects of Fe to LiCoO2 mass ratio, rotation speed, and mechanochemical reduction time were examined. These parameters influenced positively the extraction of Co, while they showed negligible effects on the leaching of Li. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses indicated a promoted extraction of Li arising from the reduction of particle sizes, magnification of specific surface area, and change of the crystal structure of particles. For high-efficiency leaching of Co by the mechanochemical reduction process with iron powders, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated the changes in the valence state of Co. The actual cathode materials disassembled from the wasted LIBs pretreated by this novel mechanochemical reduction process were also explored. The results indicated that the leaching ratios of Li, Co, Mn, and Ni could reach 77.15%, 91.25%, 100%, and 99.9%, respectively. This novel mechanochemical process would be of great importance for the recovery of valuable metals from waste LIBs.

Enhanced Electrochemical Performances of Cobalt-Doped Li2MoO3 Cathode Materials

“…After the reduction by hydrogen at a high temperature, the original satellite disappears, and a new intense satellite appears at 784.4 eV, as shown in Figure 2b. Compared with the original satellite, the new satellite is 4.1 eV higher than the core level line (780.3 eV), corresponding to high-spin Co 2+ (S = 3/2) compounds, indicating that the valence state of the Co element will be reduced from Co 3+ to Co 2+ after reduction processing under hydrogen [28]. Figure 2c and d show that the XPS spectra of Mo in Li 2 MoO 3 and Li 2 Mo 0.90 Co 0.10 O 3 .…”

Progress and Status of Hydrometallurgical and Direct Recycling of Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond

“…In this process, cobalt, nickel, and iron remain in the solid residue, whereas manganese hydroxide is precipitated from the leaching solution with NaOH. The addition of a reducing agent helped to increase leaching of cobalt and nickel as demonstrated by Guan et al and by Lee et al [174,175]. As for other inorganic acids, H 2 O 2 is the most popular reducing agent.…”

Burgeoning Prospects of Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries in Multifarious Applications

“…However, this method requires special equipment to purify the gases emitted from the combustion . Mechanochemical process helps to get higher leaching efficiency of metals by way of increasing the surface area of the cathode material through grinding technique . Generally, the presence of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder in the electrode active materials hinders the leaching efficiency of metals and it can be dissolved using organic solvents like N ‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide through dissolution process .…”