Study on Photovoltaic-Charged Battery-Powered Electrodialysis on Lithium Recovery from Spent LIB Leachates

The increasing global demand for lithium, driven by its essential role in battery technologies and the fast-growing development of electric vehicles (EVs), necessitates the development of innovative and sustainable recycling methods for the significant volumes of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Electrodialysis (ED) has emerged as a promising technique for lithium extraction from various Li-containing solutions. However, the complex composition of spent LIBs and the energy-intensive nature of the ED process pose significant challenges for its widespread implementation in lithium recycling from spent LIBs. This study investigates the ED approach for lithium recovery from industrial spent LIBs leachate and the feasibility of integrating a photovoltaic (PV) system as a renewable energy source to power the process. We evaluate the PV-charged battery-powered electrodialysis (PVB-ED) system under varying conditions for different leachates derived from spent LIBs. The results indicate high-purity lithium recovery (mostly above 99.0%) from industrial spent LIB leachate with a relatively high lithium yield (up to 89.6%), alongside a substantial reduction in carbon footprint and energy costs compared to traditional energy sources. This research positions PVB-ED as a scalable, environmentally friendly alternative for lithium recovery, contributing to the sustainable development of critical material supply chains in the context of the clean energy transition.