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Nondestructive flash cathode recycling

Author

Listed:
  • Weiyin Chen

    (Rice University)

  • Yi Cheng

    (Rice University)

  • Jinhang Chen

    (Rice University)

  • Ksenia V. Bets

    (Rice University)

  • Rodrigo V. Salvatierra

    (Rice University)

  • Chang Ge

    (Rice University)

  • John Tianci Li

    (Rice University)

  • Duy Xuan Luong

    (Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Carter Kittrell

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

  • Zicheng Wang

    (Rice University)

  • Emily A. McHugh

    (Rice University)

  • Guanhui Gao

    (Rice University)

  • Bing Deng

    (Rice University)

  • Yimo Han

    (Rice University)

  • Boris I. Yakobson

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

  • James M. Tour

    (Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University
    Rice University)

Abstract

Effective recycling of end-of-life Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential due to continuous accumulation of battery waste and gradual depletion of battery metal resources. The present closed-loop solutions include destructive conversion to metal compounds, by destroying the entire three-dimensional morphology of the cathode through continuous thermal treatment or harsh wet extraction methods, and direct regeneration by lithium replenishment. Here, we report a solvent- and water-free flash Joule heating (FJH) method combined with magnetic separation to restore fresh cathodes from waste cathodes, followed by solid-state relithiation. The entire process is called flash recycling. This FJH method exhibits the merits of milliseconds of duration and high battery metal recovery yields of ~98%. After FJH, the cathodes reveal intact core structures with hierarchical features, implying the feasibility of their reconstituting into new cathodes. Relithiated cathodes are further used in LIBs, and show good electrochemical performance, comparable to new commercial counterparts. Life-cycle-analysis highlights that flash recycling has higher environmental and economic benefits over traditional destructive recycling processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiyin Chen & Yi Cheng & Jinhang Chen & Ksenia V. Bets & Rodrigo V. Salvatierra & Chang Ge & John Tianci Li & Duy Xuan Luong & Carter Kittrell & Zicheng Wang & Emily A. McHugh & Guanhui Gao & Bing Den, 2024. "Nondestructive flash cathode recycling," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50324-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50324-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guanjun Ji & Junxiong Wang & Zheng Liang & Kai Jia & Jun Ma & Zhaofeng Zhuang & Guangmin Zhou & Hui-Ming Cheng, 2023. "Direct regeneration of degraded lithium-ion battery cathodes with a multifunctional organic lithium salt," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Bing Deng & Zhe Wang & Weiyin Chen & John Tianci Li & Duy Xuan Luong & Robert A. Carter & Guanhui Gao & Boris I. Yakobson & Yufeng Zhao & James M. Tour, 2022. "Phase controlled synthesis of transition metal carbide nanocrystals by ultrafast flash Joule heating," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Mai K. Tran & Marco-Tulio F. Rodrigues & Keiko Kato & Ganguli Babu & Pulickel M. Ajayan, 2019. "Deep eutectic solvents for cathode recycling of Li-ion batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 339-345, April.
    4. Junxiong Wang & Kai Jia & Jun Ma & Zheng Liang & Zhaofeng Zhuang & Yun Zhao & Baohua Li & Guangmin Zhou & Hui-Ming Cheng, 2023. "Sustainable upcycling of spent LiCoO2 to an ultra-stable battery cathode at high voltage," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(7), pages 797-805, July.
    5. Huifan Li & Andy Berbille & Xin Zhao & Ziming Wang & Wei Tang & Zhong Lin Wang, 2023. "A contact-electro-catalytic cathode recycling method for spent lithium-ion batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(10), pages 1137-1144, October.
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