Sustainable wastewater treatment in lithium-ion battery recycling: Processes, challenges, and innovations.
Misbah Ullah, Hossein Shalchian, Tasaddaq Younas, Francesco Vegliò, Nicolò Maria Ippolito
Abstract
The rise in the number of Li-ion batteries in the modern world has led to an increase in the number of spent batteries, which needs sustainable and efficient recycling processes and strategies to mitigate the environmental impact. Conventional recycling processes, such as hydrometallurgy, present considerable challenges, such as the production of significant amounts of wastewater containing a variety of hazardous materials like heavy metals, fluorinated compounds, and organic solvents, presenting a huge environmental and health risk if not properly supervised. Given these challenges, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current wastewater treatment technologies used in Li-ion battery recycling. It highlights the compositions and sources of the pollutants, their impact on the environment and human health, and the challenges related to current treatment technologies. By examining the present literature and investigating current patent innovations, this review will guide future research and development in the direction of more proficient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly approaches for the treatment of wastewater produced during the recycling of Li-ion batteries. Tackling this issue is important for achieving the circular economy goals and obeying the global sustainability objectives, in alignment with SDG 6 and 12 (clean water & sanitation and Responsible consumption and production).