Recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries through biomass pyrolysis gas-induced reduction

The development of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) recycling technologies can effectively alleviate environ-mental pressure and conserve metal resources. We propose a win-win strategy for pyrolysis gas reduction by lignocellulosic biomass, ensuring gas-induced reduction by spatial isolation of biomass and lithium transition metal oxides (LiTMOX (TM = Ni, Co, Mn)), and avoiding the separation of solid carbon and TMOX (TM = Ni, Co, Mn). In the spent LiCoO2 batteries, the lithium recovery efficiency reaches 99.99% and purity reaches 98.3% at 500 degrees C. In addition, biomass pyrolysis gas reduction is also applicable to treat spent LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.6-Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries. Thermodynamic analysis verifies that CO dominates the gas reduction recovery process. DFT calculation indicates that the gas reduction induces the collapse of the oxygen framework of LiTMOX (TM = Ni, Co, Mn). Everbatt-based economic and environmental analysis illustrates that this is an environment-friendly and energy-saving method.

Automated summary

The development of recycling technologies for spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can effectively alleviate environmental pressure and conserve metal resources. A win-win strategy for pyrolysis gas reduction by lignocellulosic biomass is proposed, ensuring gas-induced reduction by spatial isolation of biomass and lithium transition metal oxides (LiTMOX (TM = Ni, Co, Mn)). The method provides high lithium recovery efficiency and purity, and is applicable to different types of spent batteries.