Anode materials sustainable recycling from spent lithium-ion batteries: An edge-selectively nitrogen-repaired graphene nanoplatelets

Abstract

With the large-scale retirement of power batteries every year, the recycling and reusing of spent graphite have become an urgent task that has been given full attention. Nevertheless, designing a simple and low-cost recycling method of spent graphite is still a huge challenge. Herein, we found that defects and polar functional groups formed in situ in scrap graphite can be reshaped and modified by ball milling for high-value utilization. Specifically, remolded graphite recycled from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) was employed as a high-value anode material for the first time. The N-derived remolded graphite exhibited remarkably enhanced electrochemical performance. As a result, the remolded graphite can deliver a high capacity of 343.8 mA h g −1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 C, and also display an outstanding rate capability (a capacity of 231.9 mA h g −1 is achieved at 2 C). Furthermore, the performance index of remolded graphite is better than that of artificial battery-grade commercial graphite, as well as meet the requirements of reutilization of spent graphite. The present work provides a promising strategy for the high-value application of spent graphite. • A simple ball-milling recycling technology is proposed to remold spent graphite anode scrap powder from spent LIBs. • The inherent properties of the spent graphite provide a prerequisite for the modification of graphite. • The remolded graphite exhibits enhanced lithium-ion storage behavior than commercial graphite.