Ultrasound-assisted Hydrothermal Renovation of LiCoO2 from the Cathode of Spent Lithium-ion Batteries

LiCoO2 powders are separated from aluminum sheet of spent LiCoO2 electrodes and renovated by ultrasound radiation. LiCoO2 was obtained from electrode materials by burning off carbon and binder of the spent LiCoO2 electrodes at 500 degrees C for 1 h. Used LiCoO2 material was renovated by means of hydrothermal ultrasound radiation in a concentrated LiOH solution at 80 degrees C, ultrasonic power 600W and ultrasonic radiation time for 6h. The experimental results show that the ultrasonic shearing effects produced hydroxyl radical which could help achieve the removing of Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), the renovated LiCoO2 had high degree of crystallinity, fine layered structure, good dispersion of particles and improved electrochemical cycle performance. The renovated LiCoO2 phase exhibits the first discharge capacity of 133.5mAh/g and the discharge capacity retention of 99.5 After 40 cycles which can reach electrochemical properties of commercial batteries.