An Overview on the Recovery of Cobalt from End-of-life Lithium Ion Batteries

This study presents an up-to-date review on the methods and technologies applied for the recovery of Co from end-of-life Li-ion batteries. Considering the upcoming world demand for electric vehicles, it has been demonstrated that Co recycling from such batteries is technically feasible and vital in an attempt to provide a global supply of the metal. In this study, a number of recovery methods (including thermal, mechanical, and manual preprocessing, along with pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods) with distinct efficiency levels was described, several of which may be combined and associated between them in order to improve the overall Co separation and recovery performances.

Automated summary

This study reviews the methods and technologies used for recovering cobalt from end-of-life Li-ion batteries, highlighting the technical feasibility and importance of such recycling in meeting global demand for the metal with the rise of electric vehicles. Various recovery methods with different efficiency levels are described, some of which can be combined to enhance cobalt separation and recovery performance.