Preparation of LiCoO2 cathode materials from spent lithium–ion batteries

Abstract

Preparation of LiCoO2 cathode materials from spent lithium–ion batteries are presented. It started with the reclaim/recycle of metal values from spent lithium–ion batteries, which involves the separation of electrode materials by ultrasonic treatment, acid dissolution, precipitation of cobalt and lithium, followed by the preparation of LiCoO2 cathode materials. Co (99.4%) and Li (94.5%) were recovered from spent lithium–ion batteries. The LiCoO2 cathode materials prepared from the reclaimed cobalt and lithium compounds showed good elecrtochemical performance. The reclaiming of cobalt and lithium has a promising outlook for the recycling of cobalt and lithium from spent Li–ion batteries, thus reducing the cost of Li–ion batteries.