Advances in the regeneration of spent graphite anodes via fabricating an artificial interphase

Abstract

The global growth in the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has resulted in the rapid accumulation of spent graphite (SG) anodes, creating substantial environmental pressure. Efficient recycling of SG can significantly mitigate these impacts and reduce the consumption of natural graphite resources. Recently, the recovery and regeneration of SG have received increasing global attention. This review analyses the structural characteristics of graphite and its evolution during electrochemical cycling and summarizes the failure mechanisms responsible for performance degradation. Recent advances in deep purification and structural reconstruction are discussed, including purification approaches and structural repair strategies. The regeneration of SG through artificial interfacial engineering is further reviewed, covering surface coating, doping, and composite strategies, which provide technical guidance for graphite recycling. The opportunities and challenges associated with recycling SG from spent LIBs are also highlighted. This review provides a technical reference for the sustainable recovery and high-value reutilization of graphite anodes in LIBs.