Feasible route for the recovery of strategic metals from mixed lithium-ion batteries cathode materials by precipitation and carbonation

Recycling routes and orientations set the tone for the feasibility of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) recycling. An economically feasible hydrometallurgical route for the recycling of strategic metals from LIBs cathode materials was in great need both in the sense of achieving the sustainable development of clean energy and emissions reductions. Three scenarios with routes emphasis on higher lithium and cobalt recovery and orientations incline towards high overall recovery and profit, respectively, were compared, i.e., scenarios A and B with the same orientation (high overall recovery) in different routes (higher lithium and cobalt recovery, respectively), scenario B and C with same routes (high cobalt recovery) in different orientations (high overall recovery and profit, respectively). With the assistance of thermodynamic simulations and profit calculations, three scenarios were tested for recycling 1 Kg of spent cathode materials. The highest leaching and Li2CO3 precipitation ratio were achieved in scenario A, followed by scenario B with the highest cobalt recovery ratio, however, the optimum profit was achieved in scenario C with the lowest costs. A comparison among scenarios A, B, and C indicate that a profit-oriented strategic metals recovery process is more reasonable for LIBs recycling.

Automated summary

The study compared three different scenarios for LIBs recycling, and the results indicate that a profit-oriented strategic metals recovery process is more reasonable for LIBs recycling.