Direct recycling of spent NCA and LFP cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

Abstract Driven by environmental and economic factors, the Li-ion batteries (LIBs) recycling market is experiencing a rapid growth. Various technologies are employed for recycling spent Li-ion batteries, including pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling methods. Pyrometallurgy uses high temperatures for metal extraction, while hydrometallurgy dissolves and purifies metals through chemical leaching and successive precipitation steps. Direct recycling has recently immersed as a promising and sustainable method for recycling spent LIBs. The main advantage of the direct recycling process over the convectional routes is its ability to preserve the important crystal structure of the cathode material. Indeed, direct recycling allows the reconditioning of the electrode materials while using straightforward processes than that used in pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods. The principal steps of the direct recycling includes the disassembly, materials separation, and the regeneration. The objective of this study is to optimize the direct recycling process of the NCA and LFP materials aiming to reintegrate them into the battery supply chain promoting thus the resource conservation. Recent Publications 1. H. Oubaha, L. Fkhar, R. Cloots, F. Boschini, A. Mahmoud, ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2024, 1(8), 1791. 2. E. Roex, A. Aqil, J. Światowska, C. Malherbe, F. Boschini, R. Cloots, A. Mahmoud, J. of Power Sourc. 2024, 616, 235104. 3. J. Bodart, N. Eshraghi, M. T. Sougrati, F. Boschini, P. E. Lippens, B. Vertruyen, A. Mahmoud, J. of Power Sourc. 2023, 555, 232410. 4. R. Essehli, R. Amin, H. ben Yahia, L. Mengya, A. Parejiya, A. Mahmoud, K. Boulahya, D. Marm, A. Abouimrane, M. Balasubramanian and I. Belharouak, Adv. Sci. 2023, 10 2301091.