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Title Precise separation of spent lithium-ion cells in water without discharging for recycling
ID_Doc 13426
Authors Zhao, Y; Kang, YQ; Fan, MC; Li, T; Wozny, J; Zhou, YA; Wang, XS; Chueh, YL; Liang, Z; Zhou, GM; Wang, JX; Tavajohi, N; Kang, FY; Li, BH
Title Precise separation of spent lithium-ion cells in water without discharging for recycling
Year 2022
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.11.005
Abstract New methods for recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are needed because traditional recycling methods are based on battery pulverization, which requires pretreatment of tedious and non-eco-friendly discharging and results in low efficiency and high waste generation in post-treatment. Separating the components of recycled LIB cells followed by reuse or conversion of individual components could minimize material cross-contamination while avoiding excessive consumption of energy and chemicals. However, disposing of charged LIB cells is hazardous due to the high reactivity of lithiated graphite towards cathode materials and air, and the toxicity and flammability of the electrolytes. Here we demonstrate that the disassembly of charged jellyroll LIB cells in water with a single main step reveals no emissions from the cells and near perfect recycling efficiencies that exceed the targets of the US Department of Energy and Batteries Europe. The precise nondestructive mechanical method separates the components from jellyroll cell in water, avoiding both uncontrollable reactions from the anode and burning of the electrolyte, while allowing only a limited fraction of the anode lithium to react with water. Recycling in this way allows the recovery of materials with a value of ~& nbsp;7.14 $ kg(-1) cell, which is higher than that of physical separation (~& nbsp;5.40 $ kg(-1) cell) and much greater than the overall revenue achieved using element extraction methods ( < 1.00 $ kg(-1) cell). The precise separation method could thus facilitate the establishment of a circular economy within the LIB industry and build a strong bridge between academia and the battery recycling industry.
Author Keywords
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000781899500004
WoS Category Chemistry, Physical; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Chemistry; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
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