Direct recycling of spent Li-ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities toward practical applications
Gaolei Wei,
Yuxuan Liu,
Binglei Jiao,
Nana Chang,
Mengting Wu,
Gangfeng Liu,
Xiao Lin,
XueFei Weng,
Jinxing Chen,
Liang Zhang,
Chunling Zhu,
Guiling Wang,
Panpan Xu,
Jiangtao Di,
Qingwen Li
Affiliations
Gaolei Wei
Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China; Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
Yuxuan Liu
Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China; Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
Binglei Jiao
Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China; Department of Chemistry College of Science Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Nana Chang
Gusu Laboratory of Materials, Suzhou 215123, China
Mengting Wu
Gusu Laboratory of Materials, Suzhou 215123, China
Gangfeng Liu
Suzhou Botree Cycling Sci & Tech Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215128, China
Xiao Lin
Suzhou Botree Cycling Sci & Tech Co., Ltd, Suzhou 215128, China
XueFei Weng
Vacuum Interconnected Nanotech Workstation, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China
Jinxing Chen
Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R.China
Liang Zhang
Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, P. R.China
Chunling Zhu
Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
Guiling Wang
Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China; Corresponding author
Panpan Xu
Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China; Corresponding author
Jiangtao Di
Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China; School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Corresponding author
Qingwen Li
Advanced Materials Division, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, China; School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Summary: With the exponential expansion of electric vehicles (EVs), the disposal of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is poised to increase significantly in the coming years. Effective recycling of these batteries is essential to address environmental concerns and tap into their economic value. Direct recycling has recently emerged as a promising solution at the laboratory level, offering significant environmental benefits and economic viability compared to pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling methods. However, its commercialization has not been realized in the terms of financial feasibility. This perspective provides a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles that impede the practical implementation of direct recycling, ranging from disassembling, sorting, and separation to technological limitations. Furthermore, potential solutions are suggested to tackle these challenges in the short term. The need for long-term, collaborative endeavors among manufacturers, battery producers, and recycling companies is outlined to advance fully automated recycling of spent LIBs. Lastly, a smart direct recycling framework is proposed to achieve the full life cycle sustainability of LIBs.
