Effective separation of LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode material and Al foil via digestion of PVDF enabling a closed-loop recycle

Abstract

With the ever-growing market of electric vehicles, spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) eventually turn into a very challenging issue to both the environment and resource sustainability. Recycling the valuable components in spent LIBs becomes a key link in the closed-loop LIB industry. Pretreatment is the primary procedure for recycling LIBs in view of component classification. Traditional separation methods usually destroy the active materials or current collectors. Herein, we report a facile one-step solvothermal pretreatment using ethanol as the solvent. The separation mechanism of cathode materials and Al foil via digestion of polyvinylidene fluoride has been discussed. The pretreatment causes minimum damage to both the LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ (NCM523) cathode material and Al foil. Subsequently, the degraded NCM523 powders are regenerated by repairing the layered crystal structure and restoring the lost Li. The regenerated NCM523 cathode delivers excellent electrochemical performance. This work provides a feasible and cost-effective strategy to recycle the Al current collector and regenerate spent cathode materials.