Research progress on the direct regeneration technology for cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries

With the rapid growth of the demand for lithium-ion battery (LIBs), a large number of waste LIBs will be produced. If not disposed of properly, it will bring serious environmental pollution problems. The cathode materials of spent LIBs contain a large number of rare valuable metals, and the recovery of these metals will produce both environmental and economic benefits. Compared with the traditional separation, purification and recovery technologies of metal components from cathode materials, the strategy of direct regeneration of cathode materials has attracted much attention due to its advantages of simple process, low energy consumption, short recycling cycle and high added value of products. Six direct regeneration technologies for cathode materials from spent LIBs such as coprecipitation method, sol-gel method, solid phase sintering method, hydrothermal method, ion thermal/molten salt method and electrochemical repair method were reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages were also summarized. Among them, coprecipitation method and sol-gel method had some limitations in industrial application because of their relatively complex steps, high equipment requirements and reagent cost. Solid phase sintering method, hydrothermal method, ion thermal/molten salt method and electrochemical repair method had great opportunities for development because of their convenience and economy. In addition, the prospect and development trend of direct recycling of cathode materials from spent LIBs were prospected in order to provide reference for the research in the field of spent LIBs recycling. © 2024 Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd.. All rights reserved.