Themed collection Energy Materials Redesign, Reuse and Repurpose
Unlocking sustainable power: advances in aqueous processing and water-soluble binders for NMC cathodes in high-voltage Li-ion batteries
This review addresses the aqueous processing of high-nickel NMC materials and its challenges, including pH elevation and lithium leaching. Tailored binder selection is crucial, offering a strategic pathway for sustainable battery manufacturing.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 2125-2149
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00098F
Supercritical CO2 technology for the treatment of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries
Supercritical fluid technology is a promising approach for sustainable and efficient resource recovery (especially fluorinated binders and electrolytes) from end-of-life lithium ion batteries with significant economic and environmental perspectives.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 1692-1707
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00044G
Remanufacturing of perovskite solar cells
For improved sustainability, remanufacturing is a vital loop of a circular economy. We detail progress on remanufacturing strategies for perovskite solar cells and highlight key aspects that need advancement to deliver a sustainable technology.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 2057-2068
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00100A
Recovery of graphite from industrial lithium-ion battery black mass
A streamlined workflow is established for the recovery of graphite from industrial lithium-ion battery black mass, which could be seamlessly integrated into the existing cathode materials recycling processes developed in the industry.
RSC Sustain., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00427B
Non-aqueous direct leaching using a reusable nickel-selective amic-acid extractant for efficient lithium-ion battery recycling
A nickel-selective amic-acid extractant D2EHAG efficiently leaches and separates metals from LiB cathode materials. Furthermore, D2EHAG can be reused for subsequent leaching, making it a promising candidate for a sustainable recycling process.
RSC Sustain., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00414K
High performance long chain polyesters via melt copolymerization of cutin-inspired monomers
Herein, we report a simple strategy to achieve good mechanical properties in bio-inspired long-chain polyesters via melt copolymerization.
RSC Sustain., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00454J
Fractional precipitation of Ni and Co double salts from lithium-ion battery leachates
The isolation of Ni/Co double salts can be recovered by fractional precipitation with ammonium sulfate. The elemental analysis of these isolated double salts shows a total metal composition of >99% of Ni, Co, and Mn with negligible impurity metals.
RSC Sustain., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00303A
Enhanced electrochemical dissolution of iridium oxide in acidic electrolytes through presence of metal ions: shortened lifetime and hope for recovery
Cyclic deposition and stripping of metal ions (e.g. Cu2+) on Ir-oxides enhance electrochemical dissolution of Ir-oxides, likely due to weakening of the Ir–O–Ir bonds. The phenomenon is influential to IrOx catalyst stability and recovery perspective.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 2225-2238
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00257A
Reduced graphene oxide from dead Li-ion batteries with β-Co(OH)2 as a potential electrode for enhanced charge storage capabilities
The supercapacitive studies of the composites of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/β-Co(OH)2, in which the source of graphite used for the synthesis of rGO is the graphite recovered from spent Li-ion batteries.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 2199-2212
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00133H
Upcycling of lithium cobalt oxide to LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2
Upcycling of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) into lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC111) cathode material using acetone antisolvent crystallization of citrate leachate followed by sol–gel synthesis with complementary metal acetate or sulfate salts.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 1773-1781
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00131A
Spent graphite from lithium-ion batteries: re-use and the impact of ball milling for re-use
The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries over the last decade, coupled with the limited and geographically confined supply of high-quality battery-grade graphite, underscores the importance of recycling graphite from spent batteries.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 1418-1430
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00094C
Upcycling of low value end-of-life cathode material into next generation cathode materials
Low value Mn based spinel from an EOL EV battery is selectively leached and upcycled to higher value next generation cathode materials.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 1408-1417
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00041B
Recycling hazardous and energy-demanding piezoelectric ceramics using an oxide–halide perovskite upside-down composite method
Both Pb-based and Pb-free piezoceramics find a new purpose as fillers in upside-down composites fabricated with an ultralow energy budget, providing a second life to sensors and energy harvesters.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 961-974
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SU00348E
Optimizing geographic locations for electric vehicle battery recycling preprocessing facilities in California
Optimizing the location of lithium ion battery preprocessing facilities.
RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 377-389
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SU00319A
About this collection
As the world moves away from using fossil fuels to produce energy, demand for alternative materials is increasing. In order to ensure a sustainable supply of energy materials in the future, it is vital that they can be recycled and used again. This collection highlights research that aims to make this a reality.