Regenerated LiFePO4/C for scrapped lithium iron phosphate powder batteries by pre-oxidation and reduction method

The cathode materials of scrapped lithium-iron phosphate battery are mainly composed of LiFePO4/C, conductive agent and PVDF, etc. Unreasonable disposal will cause serious environmental pollution and waste of scarce resources. In this paper, cathode materials were regenerated by pre-oxidation and reduction method. Impurities such as carbon coating, conductive agent, and PVDF were removed and LiFePO4/C was converted to Fe2O3 and Li3Fe2(PO4)(3) by pre-oxidation. After the addition of sucrose, regeneratedLiFePO(4)/C was synthesized under reduction process. The effects of calcination temperature and sucrose addition on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of regenerated LiFePO4/C were studied. The regenerated LiFePO4/C had excellent cycling stability when the sucrose addition was 12% and calcined at 700 celcius. The initial discharge specific capacity of regenerated LiFePO4/C was 145.51 mAh g(-1) at 0.5 C. After 200 cycles, the discharge specific capacity was 145.25 mAh g(-1) (capacity retention rate: 99.82%). It provides a new inspiration for the high-value recycling and regeneration of the other scrapped lithium-ion batteries.

Automated summary

This study investigates the regeneration of cathode materials of discarded lithium-iron phosphate batteries using a pre-oxidation and reduction method. The results show that under specific conditions, regenerated LiFePO4/C with excellent cycling stability can be obtained. This research provides new insights for the high-value recycling and regeneration of other scrapped lithium-ion batteries.