An Effective Relithiation Process for Recycling Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathode Materials

Yang, Tairan; Lu, Yingqi; Li, Liurui; Ge, Dayang; Yang, Heng; Leng, Weinan; Zhou, Hui; Han, Xu; Schmidt, Nolan; Ellis, Michael; Li, Zheng

doi:10.1002/adsu.201900088

An Effective Relithiation Process for Recycling Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathode Materials

Journal Article · Sun Dec 08 23:00:00 EST 2019 · Advanced Sustainable Systems

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900088· OSTI ID:1577896

Yang, Tairan ^[1]; Lu, Yingqi ^[1]; Li, Liurui ^[2]; Ge, Dayang ^[2]; Yang, Heng ^[2]; Leng, Weinan ^[2]; Zhou, Hui ^[3]; Han, Xu ^[4]; Schmidt, Nolan ^[4]; Ellis, Michael ^[2]; ^[2]

Department of Mechanical Engineering Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA 24061 USA, Li Industries, Inc. Blacksburg VA 24061 USA
Department of Mechanical Engineering Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA 24061 USA
Department of Materials Science and Engineering Binghamton University Binghamton NY 13902 USA
Li Industries, Inc. Blacksburg VA 24061 USA

Abstract

Rapid adoption of lithium‐ion batteries for electronics and electric vehicles requires cost‐effective and efficient recycling of battery components especially the valuable cathode active materials. The direct recycling method transforms end‐of‐life (EOL) cathode materials into battery grade materials with minimal energy consumption and least environmental disruption. In direct recycling, the relithiation step to restore the lithium stoichiometry of the cathode materials is critical. In this work, a novel electrochemical relithiation approach in an aqueous electrolyte followed by a heat treatment for recycling cathode materials in EOL lithium‐ion batteries is demonstrated and analyzed. Using LiCoO ₂ as an example, it is shown that the recycled LiCoO ₂ materials show equivalent crystal structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance to the commercial LiCoO ₂ .

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1577896

Journal Information:: Advanced Sustainable Systems, Journal Name: Advanced Sustainable Systems Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 4; ISSN 2366-7486

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

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