Direct recycling of spent Li-ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities toward practical applications

Gaolei Wei; Yuxuan Liu; Binglei Jiao; Nana Chang; Mengting Wu; Gangfeng Liu; Xiao Lin; XueFei Weng; Jinxing Chen; Liang Zhang; Chunling Zhu; Guiling Wang; Panpan Xu; Jiangtao Di; Qingwen Li

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.107676

Direct recycling of spent Li-ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities toward practical applications

iScience. 2023 Aug 19;26(9):107676. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107676. eCollection 2023 Sep 15.

Authors

Gaolei Wei^{1

2}, Yuxuan Liu^{1

2}, Binglei Jiao^{2

3}, Nana Chang⁴, Mengting Wu⁴, Gangfeng Liu⁵, Xiao Lin⁵, XueFei Weng⁶, Jinxing Chen⁷, Liang Zhang⁷, Chunling Zhu¹, Guiling Wang¹, Panpan Xu², Jiangtao Di^{2

8}, Qingwen Li^{2

8}

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China.
² Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
³ Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
⁴ Gusu Laboratory of Materials, Suzhou 215123, China.
⁵ Suzhou Botree Cycling Sci & Tech Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215128, China.
⁶ Vacuum Interconnected Nanotech Workstation, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China.
⁷ Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R.China.
⁸ School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.

Abstract

With the exponential expansion of electric vehicles (EVs), the disposal of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is poised to increase significantly in the coming years. Effective recycling of these batteries is essential to address environmental concerns and tap into their economic value. Direct recycling has recently emerged as a promising solution at the laboratory level, offering significant environmental benefits and economic viability compared to pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling methods. However, its commercialization has not been realized in the terms of financial feasibility. This perspective provides a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles that impede the practical implementation of direct recycling, ranging from disassembling, sorting, and separation to technological limitations. Furthermore, potential solutions are suggested to tackle these challenges in the short term. The need for long-term, collaborative endeavors among manufacturers, battery producers, and recycling companies is outlined to advance fully automated recycling of spent LIBs. Lastly, a smart direct recycling framework is proposed to achieve the full life cycle sustainability of LIBs.

Keywords: Chemical engineering; Electrochemical energy storage; Electrochemistry; Engineering.

Publication types

Review