Classification of spent Li-ion batteries based on ICP-OES/X-ray characterization of the cathode materials

Dragana Medic,Silvana Dimitrijevic,Ivan Djordjevic,Sladjana Alagic,Snezana Milic

doi:10.2298/hemind200114012m

Dragana Medic, Silvana Dimitrijevic + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.2298/hemind200114012m

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Abstract

Development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) during the latest decades resulted in improved performances of the new integrated cathode materials and in their wide applications. This rapid expansion of new materials led to the intensive replacement of the old-fashioned, traditional materials and increased a simultaneous accumulation of both kinds of materials at extremely hazardous electronic waste sites, which additionally increased an urgent need for their recycling. Most importantly, in this way, spent LIBs may further serve as a significant source of valuable metals such as Li and cobalt. However, one of the key problems in LIBs recycling is the absence of a precise battery classification/sorting based on the chemical composition of the used cathode material. In this paper, characterization of the cathode material was performed regarding chemical composition of 40 samples of spent LIBs using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. Preparation of the samples, (pretreatment) included: discharging, dismantling, separation of the main components (cathode, anode and the separator), and detachment of the cathode material from the aluminium foil. The obtained results showed that, in the investigated commercially available LIBs, lithium cobalt oxide was the most frequently used (cathode) material.

Highlights

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) were principally developed in Japan by the company Asahi Kasei Co in order to respond to the growing need for batteries with better characteristics, whereby the companies Sony Co, Japan and A&T Battery Corp., Japan contributed significantly to their commercialization [1]
A typical LIB consists of a cathode composed of LiCoO2 adhered to an aluminium (Al) sheet and an anode made of graphite adhered to a copper (Cu) sheet; the other important constituents include the appropriate organic electrolyte, a separator, and a metallic shell
A procedure for LIBs sorting based on determination of chemical composition of the cathode materials was tested using methods such as inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and X-ray analyses

Summary

Introduction

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) were principally developed in Japan by the company Asahi Kasei Co in order to respond to the growing need for batteries with better characteristics, whereby the companies Sony Co, Japan (during 1991) and A&T Battery Corp., Japan (during 1992) contributed significantly to their commercialization [1]. It is estimated that the global LIB-market will reach USD 93.1 billion by 2025, whereby in 2016, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), as a dominant product segment, valued USD 7.15 billion [11]. A typical LIB consists of a cathode composed of LiCoO2 adhered to an aluminium (Al) sheet and an anode made of graphite adhered to a copper (Cu) sheet; the other important constituents include the appropriate organic electrolyte, a separator, and a metallic shell. Separation of the electrodes is usually accomplished by a plastic film, which is further covered by a metal casing wrapped in another plastic. The electrodes are soaked in an electrolyte, the composition of which depends on the brand and/or battery model; the most commonly used electrolytes are LiClO4, LiBF4 and LiPF6 [12]

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