Optimized extraction of mesoporous nanocomposites from spent Li- ion batteries and their use to construct high-performance supercapacitor devices with ultra-high stability

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are one class of the most significant energy storage devices used nowadays. However, a huge number of spent batteries bring harmful resource waste and environmental hazards as LIBs are mainly composed of heavy metals and organic electrolytes. Consequently, recycling spent LIBs has become a hot topic lately, where researchers are actively working to develop a plethora of methods to extract valuable metals and components. In this study, mesoporous Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide nano -particles have been successfully extracted from spent Li-ion batteries using a simple microwave/pre-cipitation method. The as-extracted Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxides were used to construct functional supercapacitor devices. However, the as-extracted oxides showed poor stability and low conductivity. To enhance their cycling stability and conductivity, fullerene (C76) is used as a carbon additive to form Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide/C76 nanocomposite materials. The morphological, structural, and compositional analyses of those composites were performed using FESEM, HRTEM, XRD, and XPS techniques. The Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide/C76 nanocomposites exhibit higher conductivity and wettability with an enhanced gravimetric capacitance of-357 Fg-1 at 1.0 Ag-1. The asymmetric supercapacitor devices deliver specific energy as high as-10 Wh/kg at a specific power of-800 W/kg with a superior retention rate of-115% after 20,000 cycles with-100% Coulombic efficiency.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are important energy storage devices, but their disposal poses waste and environmental hazards. This study successfully extracted mesoporous Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide nanoparticles from spent LIBs using a simple method and used them to construct functional supercapacitors. However, the as-extracted oxides had poor stability and conductivity, so carbon additive (C76) was used to enhance their properties and form Li-Ni-Mn-Co oxide/C76 nanocomposites.