Toward Direct Regeneration of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Next-Generation Recycling Method

Abstract

The popularity of portable electronic devices and electric vehicles has led to the drastically increasing consumption of lithium-ion batteries recently, raising concerns about the disposal and recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries. However, the recycling rate of lithium-ion batteries worldwide at present is extremely low. Many factors limit the promotion of the battery recycling rate: outdated recycling technology is the most critical one. Existing metallurgy-based recycling methods rely on continuous decomposition and extraction steps with high-temperature roasting/acid leaching processes and many chemical reagents. These methods are tedious with worse economic feasibility, and the recycling products are mostly alloys or salts, which can only be used as precursors. To simplify the process and improve the economic benefits, novel recycling methods are in urgent demand, and direct recycling/regeneration is therefore proposed as a next-generation method. Herein, a comprehensive review of the origin, current status, and prospect of direct recycling methods is provided. We have systematically analyzed current recycling methods and summarized their limitations, pointing out the necessity of developing direct recycling methods. A detailed analysis for discussions of the advantages, limitations, and obstacles is conducted. Guidance for future direct recycling methods toward large-scale industrialization as well as green and efficient recycling systems is also provided.

Environmental Aspects and Recycling of Solid-State Batteries: A Comprehensive Review

“…Wang et al [150] identify that global recycling rates for lithium-ion batteries are critically low, primarily due to the reliance on antiquated metallurgy-based methods that require complex decomposition processes and extensive use of chemical reagents. To overcome these limitations, there is a pressing need for innovative and economically viable recycling approaches, with direct recycling/regeneration emerging as a particularly promising solution.…”

“…To overcome these limitations, there is a pressing need for innovative and economically viable recycling approaches, with direct recycling/regeneration emerging as a particularly promising solution. Wang et al [150] also highlight the crucial role of integrating information technology into battery recycling, specifically the enhanced traceability enabled by assigning unique QR codes to individual batteries, to improve recycling rates in the digital era. However, significant challenges persist, especially in the labor-intensive pretreatment phase of direct cathode material recycling.…”

Recycling spent lithium-ion battery cathode: an overview

“…The recycling and utilization of S-LIBs are a hot topic, which has attracted attention from many scholars. Recently, many scholars such as Men et al , 23 Lei et al , 60 Wang et al 61 and Jia et al 47 published excellent reviews related to the recycling of S-LIBs. However, compared to these excellent reviews, our review has unique features.…”

Sustainability of new energy vehicles from a battery recycling perspective: A bibliometric analysis

“…Wang et al [ 16 ] developed an integrated system to quantitatively compare the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of the solvent metallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and hydrometallurgy of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and design methods to improve the sustainability of DESs. Furthermore, the direct regeneration method is simpler and has higher economic efficiency than the traditional pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, demonstrating the necessity for its development [ 17 ]. Numerous types of batteries are used in NEVs.…”