The use of a li-ion battery recycling product for the synthesis of the manganese based max-phase

In recent years, with the growing popularity of electric vehicles and other battery-powered devices, there has been a significant increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These batteries have become the main power source for most portable devices and electric vehicles, such as the Nissan Leaf. However, with the increase in LIB production and consumption, there is not only the question of ensuring their efficient production but also the need for environmentally safe recycling. The recycling process of used LIBs involves extracting valuable components such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Efficient recycling of cathode materials becomes particularly important as it allows both the reuse of these metals in new battery production and reduces the need for resource mining. Manganese (Mn), which can be extracted during LIB recycling, not only plays a crucial role in battery production but can also serve as a basis for synthesizing new materials, such as the Mn3AlC MAX phase. Manganese MAX phases represent a class of two-dimensional materials that are attracting increasing attention from researchers due to their unique properties. Thus, lithium-ion battery recycling not only solves the waste disposal problem but also creates opportunities for developing new materials.