Issue 5, 2013

A novel method to recycle mixed cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract

The rechargeable lithium ion (Li-ion) battery market was $11.8 billion in 2011 and is expected to increase to $50 billion by 2020. With developments in consumer electronics as well as hybrid and electric vehicles, Li-ion batteries demand will continue to increase. However, Li-ion batteries are not widely recycled because currently it is not economically justifiable (in contrast, at present more than 97% lead-acid batteries are recycled). So far, no commercial methods are available to recycle Li-ion batteries with different cathode chemistries economically and efficiently. Considering our limited resources, environmental impact, and national security, Li-ion batteries must be recycled. A new low temperature methodology with high efficiency is proposed in order to recycle Li-ion batteries economically and thus commercially feasible regardless of cathode chemistry. The separation and synthesis of cathode materials (the most valuable material in Li-ion batteries) from the recycled components are the main focus of this study. The results show that the developed recycling process is practical with high recovery efficiencies, and that it is viable for commercial adoption.

Graphical abstract: A novel method to recycle mixed cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

Supplementary files

Additions and corrections

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Jan 2013
Accepted
27 Feb 2013
First published
27 Feb 2013

Green Chem., 2013,15, 1183-1191

A novel method to recycle mixed cathode materials for lithium ion batteries

H. Zou, E. Gratz, D. Apelian and Y. Wang, Green Chem., 2013, 15, 1183 DOI: 10.1039/C3GC40182K

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