Recovery of metal ions in lithium iron phosphate powder and lithium nickel-cobalt-manganate powder by electrochemical oxidation

Abstract

In recent years, lithium-ion batteries have been increasingly used in electric and hybrid vehicles. It is anticipated that the first lithium-ion batteries will be discarded at the height of their useful lives in 2025, so developing an effective and ecologically friendly recycling process is essential. In this study, an electrochemical cathode synergism is proposed for the electro-catalyzed oxidation of lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide powder and lithium iron phosphate powder to extract metal. The oxidation of Fe2+ and the release of Li+ (98 %) in LiFePO4 and the leaching of Ni (92 %), Co (91 %), Mn (94 %) and Li (97 %) from its NCM523 were mainly triggered by the rapid attack of a large amount of OH during advanced oxidation. The leaching kinetic analysis showed that the leaching system for electrochemical leaching of binary and ternary cathode materials was a chemical reaction control model, and the leaching thermodynamic analysis showed that the dissolution of each metal ion was feasible in this leaching environment. The suggested recycling technique utilizes fewer chemicals and generates less waste when compared to previous recycling techniques. The method offers a fresh approach to environmentally friendly recycling for spent lithium-ion battery leaching and recycling.