IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i3p1365-d1049089.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Recovery and Recycling of Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Tendai Tawonezvi

    (South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Myalelo Nomnqa

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Leslie Petrik

    (South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Bernard Jan Bladergroen

    (South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

Abstract

The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion Batteries) has drawn a lot of interest in recent years in response to the rising demand for the corresponding high-value metals and materials and the mounting concern emanating from the detrimental environmental effects imposed by the conventional disposal of solid battery waste. Numerous studies have been conducted on the topic of recycling used Li-ion batteries to produce either battery materials or specific chemical, metal or metal-based compounds. Physical pre-treatment is typically used to separate waste materials into various streams, facilitating the effective recovery of components in subsequent processing. In order to further prepare the recovered materials or compounds by applying the principles of materials chemistry and engineering, a metallurgical process is then utilized to extract and isolate pure metals or separate contaminants from a particular waste stream. In this review, the current state of spent Li-ion battery recycling is outlined, reviewed, and analyzed in the context of the entire recycling process, with a particular emphasis on hydrometallurgy; however, electrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy are also comprehensively reviewed. In addition to the comprehensive review of various hydrometallurgical processes, including alkaline leaching, acidic leaching, solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction, and chemical precipitation, a critical analysis of the current obstacles to process optimization during Li-ion battery recycling is also conducted. Moreover, the energy-intensive nature of discussed recycling process routes is also assessed and addressed. This study is anticipated to offer recommendations for enhancing wasted Li-ion battery recycling, and the field can be further explored for commercialization.

Suggested Citation

  • Tendai Tawonezvi & Myalelo Nomnqa & Leslie Petrik & Bernard Jan Bladergroen, 2023. "Recovery and Recycling of Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-33, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:3:p:1365-:d:1049089
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/3/1365/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/3/1365/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gavin Harper & Roberto Sommerville & Emma Kendrick & Laura Driscoll & Peter Slater & Rustam Stolkin & Allan Walton & Paul Christensen & Oliver Heidrich & Simon Lambert & Andrew Abbott & Karl Ryder & L, 2019. "Recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7781), pages 75-86, November.
    2. Ordoñez, J. & Gago, E.J. & Girard, A., 2016. "Processes and technologies for the recycling and recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 195-205.
    3. Guangwen Zhang & Zhongxing Du & Yaqun He & Haifeng Wang & Weining Xie & Tao Zhang, 2019. "A Sustainable Process for the Recovery of Anode and Cathode Materials Derived from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-11, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Krystyna Giza & Beata Pospiech & Jerzy Gęga, 2023. "Future Technologies for Recycling Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) from Electric Vehicles—Overview of Latest Trends and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Bianca Ifeoma Chigbu & Ikechukwu Umejesi, 2024. "Unlocking Economic and Environmental Gains Through Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling for Electric Vehicles," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Nagaraj Nandihalli & Rajiv K. Chouhan & Rambabu Kuchi & Ihor Z. Hlova, 2024. "Aspects of Spodumene Lithium Extraction Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-39, September.
    4. Yufeng Xing & Qi Liu & Yuanxiu Xing & Zhuanwei Liu & Wenbo Wang, 2024. "Minimal Defect Detection on End Face of Lithium Battery Shells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-16, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wang, Mengmeng & Liu, Kang & Dutta, Shanta & Alessi, Daniel S. & Rinklebe, Jörg & Ok, Yong Sik & Tsang, Daniel C.W., 2022. "Recycling of lithium iron phosphate batteries: Status, technologies, challenges, and prospects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    2. Golmohammadzadeh, Rabeeh & Faraji, Fariborz & Jong, Brian & Pozo-Gonzalo, Cristina & Banerjee, Parama Chakraborty, 2022. "Current challenges and future opportunities toward recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    3. Yixuan Wang & Yajuan Yu & Kai Huang & Baojun Tang, 2019. "From the Perspective of Battery Production: Energy–Environment–Economy (3E) Analysis of Lithium-Ion Batteries in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Gu, Xubo & Bai, Hanyu & Cui, Xiaofan & Zhu, Juner & Zhuang, Weichao & Li, Zhaojian & Hu, Xiaosong & Song, Ziyou, 2024. "Challenges and opportunities for second-life batteries: Key technologies and economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    5. Kılkış, Şiir & Ulpiani, Giulia & Vetters, Nadja, 2024. "Visions for climate neutrality and opportunities for co-learning in European cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    6. Shahjalal, Mohammad & Roy, Probir Kumar & Shams, Tamanna & Fly, Ashley & Chowdhury, Jahedul Islam & Ahmed, Md. Rishad & Liu, Kailong, 2022. "A review on second-life of Li-ion batteries: prospects, challenges, and issues," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    7. Maria A. Franco & Stefan N. Groesser, 2021. "A Systematic Literature Review of the Solar Photovoltaic Value Chain for a Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-35, August.
    8. Tang, Yanyan & Zhang, Qi & Li, Yaoming & Li, Hailong & Pan, Xunzhang & Mclellan, Benjamin, 2019. "The social-economic-environmental impacts of recycling retired EV batteries under reward-penalty mechanism," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Fatmawati Fatmawati & Nuryanti Mustari & Haerana Haerana & Risma Niswaty & Abdillah Abdillah, 2022. "Waste Bank Policy Implementation through Collaborative Approach: Comparative Study—Makassar and Bantaeng, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-15, June.
    10. Andrzej Pacana & Dominika Siwiec & Robert Ulewicz & Malgorzata Ulewicz, 2024. "A Novelty Model Employing the Quality Life Cycle Assessment (QLCA) Indicator and Frameworks for Selecting Qualitative and Environmental Aspects for Sustainable Product Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-24, September.
    11. Arjun K. Thapa & Abhinav C. Nouduri & Mohammed Mohiuddin & Hari Prasad Reddy Kannapu & Lihui Bai & Hui Wang & Mahendra K. Sunkara, 2024. "Recycling and Reuse of Mn-Based Spinel Electrode from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-13, August.
    12. Lin, Shunda & Liu, Renlong & Guo, Shenghui, 2022. "High temperature microwave dielectric and thermochemical properties of waste LixMn2O4 battery cathode materials reduced by moso bamboo," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 714-724.
    13. Erick C. Jones, 2024. "Lithium Supply Chain Optimization: A Global Analysis of Critical Minerals for Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-31, May.
    14. Zhaosheng Zhang & Shuo Wang & Ni Lin & Zhenpo Wang & Peng Liu, 2023. "State of Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries in Electric Vehicles Based on Regional Capacity and LGBM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, January.
    15. Guohao Li & Tao Wang, 2022. "Long-Term Leases vs. One-Off Purchases: Game Analysis on Battery Swapping Mode Considering Cascade Utilization and Power Structure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-28, December.
    16. Christensen, Paul A. & Anderson, Paul A. & Harper, Gavin D.J. & Lambert, Simon M. & Mrozik, Wojciech & Rajaeifar, Mohammad Ali & Wise, Malcolm S. & Heidrich, Oliver, 2021. "Risk management over the life cycle of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    17. Jay N. Meegoda & Sarvagna Malladi & Isabel C. Zayas, 2022. "End-of-Life Management of Electric Vehicle Lithium-Ion Batteries in the United States," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-13, November.
    18. Jain, Monika & Singh, Archana, 2024. "An empirical study on electric vehicle adoption in India: A step towards a greener environment," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 112-125.
    19. Miller, Hugh & Dikau, Simon & Svartzman, Romain & Dees, Stéphane, 2023. "The stumbling block in ‘the race of our lives’: transition-critical materials, financial risks and the NGFS climate scenarios," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 118095, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    20. Oda, Hiromu & Noguchi, Hiroki & Fuse, Masaaki, 2022. "Review of life cycle assessment for automobiles: A meta-analysis-based approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:3:p:1365-:d:1049089. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.