It is imperative to urgently devise a cost-effective technique for extracting valuable lithium materials from end-of-life lithium-ion (EoL Li-ion) batteries before 2025-2030. This urgency is underscored by two key factors: firstly, collaborative endeavors between power generation utilities and Li-ion battery energy storage striving for carbon neutrality, and secondly, a notable annual surge (estimated at approximately 55% in 2022) in electric vehicle (EV) registrations driven by the increasing demand for automotive Li-ion batteries ^[1]. With the typical lifespan of Li-ion batteries spanning 8-10 years, around 200 kilotons of EOL Li-ion batteries will need recycling by 2030 to bolster environmental conservation initiatives ^[2].
Moreover, in the recycling process of depleted Li-ion batteries (LIB), challenges arise from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders and electrolytes (LiPF6 in carbonate solvents) emerging as predominant sources of fluorine-containing pollutants ^[3].
In response to these challenges, researchers at the University of Kentucky (UKy) have pioneered an innovative thermal reduction process. This method integrates fluidization and chemical looping combustion (CLC), facilitating the efficient recovery of metals from EOL Li-ion batteries without reliance on potent acids or reducing agents. During an upcoming meeting, UKy will unveil (1) the results of metal recovery from a bench-scale process, (2) performance improvements achieved through adjustments in operating parameters like temperature and wash-off effect, (3) insights into the decomposition of lithium oxides under reducing conditions, and (4) an exploration of the behavior of fluorine within the process. (5) The parametric effect of voltage on separation efficiency of lithium in an electrochemical cell.
[1] https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2023/trends-in-batteries
[2] https://spectrum.ieee.org/lithiumion-battery-recycling-finally-takes-off-in-north-america-and-europe
[3] Huang, H., Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 435, 128974.

Lithium Battery,Battery Recovery,Thermal Reduction,Lithium Recovery,Wash Effect