Recovery of Lithium and Cobalt from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using a Deep Eutectic Solvent Based on Choline Chloride and Oxalic Acid (Oxaline)

The growing consumption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electronic devices and electric vehicles has led to a significant increase in waste containing valuable metals such as lithium and cobalt. Recovering these metals is essential to reducing dependence on primary sources and minimizing environmental impact. In this study, the leaching of the cathode active material from discarded LIBs was evaluated using oxaline, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of oxalic acid and choline chloride in a 1:1 molar ratio. The process began with the collection, discharge, washing, drying, and dismantling of the LIBs, followed by the separation of their components. Subsequently, the cathode active material was characterized, revealing a primary composition of cobalt (54.5%) and lithium (6.5%), with the presence of LiCoO₂ confirmed by XRD analysis. Leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature, time, and solid percentage, demonstrating that oxaline is effective for the selective leaching of lithium and cobalt. Under optimal conditions (90 °C, 1-2 wt.% cathode active material, 400 rpm), lithium underwent complete dissolution within the first hour, while cobalt achieved complete leaching by 4 h. Both metals were recovered as oxalates and separated based on differences in solubility. Oxaline proves to be an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for the selective recovery of lithium and cobalt from LIB waste, supporting a circular economy in the management of critical metals.