Separation and Regeneration of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Facile Process

In this paper, a potential methodfor the closed-looprecoveryand regeneration of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) is developed to greatly simplify the regeneration process,which successfully removes metal impurities from spent LIBs and synthesisof layered oxide LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials. First, the valuable metals (Ni, Co, Mn,and Li) in spent LIB materials are transformed into water-solubleions based on the synergy between dl-malic acid and glucose.Subsequently, the residual Fe impurities are successfully decreasedfrom the leaching solution by oxidation-precipitation. Prior to thesynthesis process, valuable metal ions are immediately precipitatedusing oxalic acid as a precipitant from the leaching solution intoNi(1/3)Co(1/3)Mn(1/3)C(2)O(4)& BULL;nH(2)O with extremely uniformsize particles. Furthermore, the LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials with an excellent crystalstructure are successfully synthesized by adding Li2CO3 as the lithium source after roasting at 500 & DEG;C for 4h and then at 950 & DEG;C for 12 h. The regenerated LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials demonstratereliable electrochemical performance. This work clarifies a potentialmethod for the closed-loop recovery resource sustainability of spentLIB materials. A green technology was usedto realize the reutilizationof spent lithium-ion batteries materials.

Automated summary

In this paper, a potential method for the closed-loop recovery and regeneration of cathode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries is developed, which successfully removes metal impurities from the batteries and synthesizes layered oxide LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 materials.