Direct Recycling of End-of-Life Li-Ion Cathode Materials through Redox Chemistry Mediators

Wednesday, 12 October 2022: 15:40
Room 315 (The Hilton Atlanta)
C. K. Kirwa (New Mexico State University, National Renewable Energy Laboratory), J. Coyle (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), and H. Luo (New Mexico State University)
Recycled lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery materials are pivotal for the sustainability of the renewable energy industry. Widespread consumer and municipal adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) directly correlates to the increased demand for Li-Ion batteries. Increasing Li-Ion battery production to meet the demand presents two challenges: end-of-life (EoL) Li-Ion management through recycling and mineral depletion. Li-Ion batteries are manufactured with hazardous and volatile materials, hence, cannot be sent to landfills. Therefore, recycling is vital in preserving the environment and securing resources. The current research uses wet chemical separation of spent Li-Ion battery electrode materials. The method used in direct recycling of the delithiated Li-Ion cathode materials through redox chemistry mediators employs reduction and oxidation chemistry. Quinone compounds shuttles charges between lithium metal or lithium salt and delithiated cathode materials. This redox reaction occurs at low temperature to restore lithium content in the spent Li-ion battery electrode materials. The process recovers the lithium content in the cathode materials without negatively affecting the structure. The half-cell electrochemical performance is comparable to pristine material. Hence, redox chemistry relithiation for direct recycling is promising.