Overview of Recycling Techniques for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review on the processing of used lithium-ion batteries in both industry and research. On an industrial scale, lithium-ion batteries are primarily processed through pyrometallurgical methods, leading to incomplete utilisation of lithium cells. On the other hand, the hydrometallurgical route of recycling lithium-ion batteries poses challenges, such as large-scale discharging or inert gas pretreatment, largely due to explosion hazards. Modern methods of lithium-ion battery recycling are oriented toward refining the leach liquor through solvent extraction methods using D2EHPA and Cyanex 272, to recover Co, Mn, and Ni. The final Li product is obtained through Na2CO3 precipitation.

Keywords

• lithium batteries
• recycling
• lithium extraction
• solvent extraction method
• pyrometallurgical treatment
• hydrometallurgical treatment