Synergetic pyrolysis of lithium-ion battery cathodes with polyethylene terephthalate for efficient metal recovery and battery regeneration
Spent LiNi<sub>x</sub>Co<sub>y</sub>Mn<sub>z</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (x + y + z = 1) and polyethylene terephthalate are major solid wastes due to the growing Li-ion battery market and widespread plastic usage. Here we propose a synergistic pyrolysis strategy to recover valuable metals by thermally treating LiNi<sub>1/3</sub>Co<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and polyethylene terephthalate. With polyethylene terephthalate assistance, LiNi<sub>1/3</sub>Co<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> decomposes at 400 °C, and fully converts to Li<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, MnO, and Ni-Co alloy at 550 °C within 30 min, using a 1.0:0.3 mass ratio of LiNi<sub>1/3</sub>Co<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> to polyethylene terephthalate. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations confirm the preference for O-Li bonding. Surface adsorption and free radical/gaseous reduction reactions explain the role of polyethylene terephthalate in promoting lattice destruction. The complete decomposition facilitates efficient post-treatment, achieving over 99% recovery of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn via water washing. Regenerated LiNi<sub>1/3</sub>Co<sub>1/3</sub>Mn<sub>1/3</sub>O<sub>2</sub> was synthesized by using recovered Li- and transition metal-containing products as feedstocks. This study provided a chemical-free, energy-saving, and scalable recovery strategy while addressing polyethylene terephthalate waste minimization.
Authors
- Kaimin Shih (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6461-3207)
- Yuanyuan Tang
- Jinchuan Dai
- Xiaoying Lü (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3777-2472)
- Kechen Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9531-2239)
- Jun Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9561-5857)
- Yonghong Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5535-8163)
- Zhe Meng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8418-0621)
Institutions
- Southern University of Science and Technology (CN)
- Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (HK)
- University of Hong Kong (HK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Engineering
- Published
- 2024-11-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-024-00317-x
- Citations
- 8
- Primary Topic
- Extraction and Separation Processes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.70
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
- Environment and Conservation Fund
- Southern University of Science and Technology