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Subtractive transformation of cathode materials in spent Li-ion batteries to a low-cobalt 5 V-class cathode material

Author

Listed:
  • Jun Ma

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Junxiong Wang

    (Tsinghua University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Kai Jia

    (Tsinghua University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Zheng Liang

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Guanjun Ji

    (Tsinghua University
    Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Haocheng Ji

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yanfei Zhu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wen Chen

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Hui-Ming Cheng

    (Faculty of Materials Science and Energy Engineering/Institute of Technology for Carbon Neutrality, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science
    Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Science)

  • Guangmin Zhou

    (Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Adding extra raw materials for direct recycling or upcycling is prospective for battery recycling, but overlooks subtracting specific components beforehand can facilitate the recycling to a self-sufficient mode of sustainable production. Here, a subtractive transformation strategy of degraded LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 and LiMn2O4 to a 5 V-class disordered spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-like cathode material is proposed. Equal amounts of Co and Ni from degraded materials are selectively extracted, and the remaining transition metals are directly converted into Ni0.4Co0.1Mn1.5(CO3)2 precursor for preparing cathode material with in-situ Co doping. The cathode material with improved conductivity and bond strength delivers high-rate (10 C and 20 C) and high-temperature (60 °C) cycling stability. This strategy with no extra precursor input can be generalized to practical degraded black mass and reduces the dependence of current cathode production on rare elements, showing the potential of upcycling from the spent to a next-generation 5 V-class cathode material for the sustainable Li-ion battery industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Jun Ma & Junxiong Wang & Kai Jia & Zheng Liang & Guanjun Ji & Haocheng Ji & Yanfei Zhu & Wen Chen & Hui-Ming Cheng & Guangmin Zhou, 2024. "Subtractive transformation of cathode materials in spent Li-ion batteries to a low-cobalt 5 V-class cathode material," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45091-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45091-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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.
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    3. William E. Gent & Grace M. Busse & Kurt Z. House, 2022. "The predicted persistence of cobalt in lithium-ion batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(12), pages 1132-1143, December.
    4. Michael M. Thackeray & Khalil Amine, 2021. "LiMn2O4 spinel and substituted cathodes," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 566-566, May.
    5. Xiao-Guang Yang & Teng Liu & Chao-Yang Wang, 2021. "Thermally modulated lithium iron phosphate batteries for mass-market electric vehicles," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 176-185, February.
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