Recovery and Recycling of Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis

Tendai Tawonezvi (), Myalelo Nomnqa, Leslie Petrik and Bernard Jan Bladergroen
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Tendai Tawonezvi: South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Myalelo Nomnqa: Department of Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Leslie Petrik: South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
Bernard Jan Bladergroen: South African Institute for Advance Materials Chemistry (SAIAMC), University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town 7535, South Africa

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-33

Abstract: The recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion Batteries) has drawn a lot of interest in recent years in response to the rising demand for the corresponding high-value metals and materials and the mounting concern emanating from the detrimental environmental effects imposed by the conventional disposal of solid battery waste. Numerous studies have been conducted on the topic of recycling used Li-ion batteries to produce either battery materials or specific chemical, metal or metal-based compounds. Physical pre-treatment is typically used to separate waste materials into various streams, facilitating the effective recovery of components in subsequent processing. In order to further prepare the recovered materials or compounds by applying the principles of materials chemistry and engineering, a metallurgical process is then utilized to extract and isolate pure metals or separate contaminants from a particular waste stream. In this review, the current state of spent Li-ion battery recycling is outlined, reviewed, and analyzed in the context of the entire recycling process, with a particular emphasis on hydrometallurgy; however, electrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy are also comprehensively reviewed. In addition to the comprehensive review of various hydrometallurgical processes, including alkaline leaching, acidic leaching, solvent (liquid-liquid) extraction, and chemical precipitation, a critical analysis of the current obstacles to process optimization during Li-ion battery recycling is also conducted. Moreover, the energy-intensive nature of discussed recycling process routes is also assessed and addressed. This study is anticipated to offer recommendations for enhancing wasted Li-ion battery recycling, and the field can be further explored for commercialization.

Keywords: lithium-ion batteries; cathodes; recycling; recovery; valuable metals; cobalt; nickel; lithium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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