An Emerging and Consummate Photocatalysis-Assisted Strategy for Efficient Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries
Xiaowei Lv, Jiao Lin, Qingrong Huang, Xuan Sun, Ersha Fan, Renjie Chen, Feng Wu, Li Li
Abstract
Imperfect recycling technology and inconsistent decommissioning levels hinder the joint development of social and economic benefits in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Formulating a more consummate strategy to recover cathodes with different degradation levels is critical for optimizing the recycling of the spent LIBs. This paper presents an advanced approach for photocatalytic-assisted recovery of spent LIBs based on the decommissioning degree of cathode materials. UV-assisted Li and Co leaching efficiency reached 99.56% and 98.25%, over 35% higher than non-UV assistance, with a lower recovery cost than ultrasound (68.94%) and stirring (81.25%). Additionally, we realized the high-value reuse of photocatalytic-assisted leached lithium solution, and the repaired-LiCoO 2 exhibited a high capacity, 179.4 mAh g –1, at 0.1 C. The recovery process generates more than three times the economic benefits of traditional methods. This environmentally friendly and energy-efficient recycling method is well-suited for efficiently recovering Ni-enriched anodes, offering new insights into recovering spent LIBs.