Selective separation of Li, Ni, Co and Mn from model spent Li ion battery cathode materials by dry processing using the combination of chlorination and oxidation

Abstract

The volatilization of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn during chlorination treatment of LNO, LCO, and LMO (model materials for used LIB cathode materials) was investigated with the aim of developing technology for selectively separating and recovering valuable elements by dry methods from used LIB cathode materials. Based on the characterization results for each species, oxidation treatment was performed on LNO, LCO, and LMO after chlorination, and the selective separation of Li from Ni, Co, and Mn was investigated. Volatilization of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn from LNO, LCO, and LMO occurred at over 700 °C during chlorination, and it was difficult to perform selective volatilization separation of the LIB constituent elements. It was found that when LNO, LCO, and LMO were treated by chlorination at up to 600 °C and then heated in air up to 1300 °C, Li could be selectively separated from Ni, Co, and Mn.