Feasible route for the recovery of strategic metals from mixed lithium-ion batteries cathode materials by precipitation and carbonation

Abstract

• Two recycling routes with high Li and Co recovery are designed and compared. • Three scenarios were compared to achieve an economically feasible recycling path. • Detailed breakdown of costs and gains in each step were analyzed. • Nano-sized Li 2 CO 3 and Co was recovered with high purity. Recycling routes and orientations set the tone for the feasibility of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) recycling. An economically feasible hydrometallurgical route for the recycling of strategic metals from LIBs cathode materials was in great need both in the sense of achieving the sustainable development of clean energy and emissions reductions. Three scenarios with routes emphasis on higher lithium and cobalt recovery and orientations incline towards high overall recovery and profit, respectively, were compared, i.e., scenarios A and B with the same orientation (high overall recovery) in different routes (higher lithium and cobalt recovery, respectively), scenario B and C with same routes (high cobalt recovery) in different orientations (high overall recovery and profit, respectively). With the assistance of thermodynamic simulations and profit calculations, three scenarios were tested for recycling 1 Kg of spent cathode materials. The highest leaching and Li 2 CO 3 precipitation ratio were achieved in scenario A, followed by scenario B with the highest cobalt recovery ratio, however, the optimum profit was achieved in scenario C with the lowest costs. A comparison among scenarios A, B, and C indicate that a profit-oriented strategic metals recovery process is more reasonable for LIBs recycling.