Microrecycled Co3O4 from waste lithium-ion battery: Synthesis, characterisation and implication in environmental application

Abstract

Microrecycling based techniques are developed to synthesise phase pure porous Co3O4 using thermal isolation and controlled recycling pathways to achieve environmental outcomes that could manufacture and recycle hazardous spent Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The existing synthesising strategies for high surface area and small crystal grains of Co3O4 rely on raw materials, complex chemicals and experimental conditions. Herein the proposed facile technique produces Co3O4 with nanosized crystal grains and a large specific surface area of 79.2 m2 g−1 by utilising the cathode and anode material (CAM) of spent LIBs. The controllable synthesis of the Co3O4 also offers value added co-product of Lithium in the form of Li2CO3. Further utilisation of synthesised Co3O4 as a catalyst for toxic dye degradation offers an excellent opportunity to deliver benefits for society by creating a resource from waste that could treat other waste in our environment.