(Invited) Toward Solvent-Based Direct Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are booming globally for the applications in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, grid energy storage, and so on. The high demand and production of LIBs drives the generation of vast stockpiles of spent LIBs in near future. Recycling of those waste LIBs not only alleviates the environmental impacts from disposal in landfills and reduces the influences of raw mineral extraction and refining, but also reduces costs and lowers risks of supply chain disruptions. However, the recycling of LIBs is not taking off due to many fundamental and technological challenges. It is thus imperative to develop cost-effective and environmentally sustainable recovery processes to recycle end-of-life batteries. In this context, this presentation highlights the advancements in direct recycling of lithium-ion batteries from different aspects through solvent-based separation and regeneration processes. First, several green solvent-based recovery processes to efficiently separate electrode materials from their current collectors will be presented. Next, an aqueous sequential separation process to separate both anode/cathode and electrode/current collectors will be highlighted. In addition to the solvent-based separation processes, we will discuss the direct regeneration of spent NMC cathode via a solvent-mediated relithiation process. The discussion will shed light on new solvent-based separation and regeneration processes as an enabling step towards direct recycling of LIBs.