Green Recovery of Cathode Active Materials from Li-Ion Battery Electrode Scraps Using Propylene Carbonate: A Novel Approach for Direct Recycling

Retrieving cathode active materials from Li-ion batteryelectrodescraps is a crucial step in direct recycling; however, it presentschallenges due to the strong bonds between the active material, carbonblack, and binder. In this work, we propose the use of propylene carbonate(PC) as a green solvent for a solvent-based liberation/separationprocess. Compared to other green solvents, PC offers the advantageof efficiently liberating active materials from electrode scraps ata relatively low temperature and within a short time. The reclaimedcathode obtained through the PC-based process retains its morphological,structural, and electrochemical characteristics, demonstrating thesuitability of the developed process for direct recycling. Additionally,the process provides an intriguing benefit by enhancing the charge-transferresistance of the reclaimed active material. The use of PC in thesolvent liberation/separation process offers a viable approach tomitigate impurity-related challenges commonly encountered in solvent-basedprocesses. By leveraging the plasticizer effect of PC, the residualpolyvinylidene fluoride species on the active material are transformedinto species that facilitate Li-ion conduction. This transformationleads to an improvement in the overall electrochemical performanceof the recovered cathode material. Abiodegradable green solvent, propylene carbonate, wasused to liberate and separate cathode active materials from electrodescraps.