An efficient recovery process of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries in acidic medium assisted with waste areca powder

With the deepening of attention to environmental pollution and waste of resources, the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has attracted more and more attention. In this research, a hydrometallurgical process assisted with waste areca powder (WAP) as the reductant has been proposed for the recovery of valuable metals from spent LiNixCoyMnzO2 (NCM) cathode. About 99.9 % of Ni, Co, Mn, and Li can be leached under the optimal experimental conditions of 3 mol/L H2SO4, 1:1 dosage of WAP/NCM, liquid /solid ratio of 20 mL/g and 363 K for 120 min. Reaction kinetics shows the apparent activation energy Ea of all studied elements is greater than 40 kJ/ mol, suggesting that the leaching procedure is controlled by chemical reactions. To further implement to the concept of protecting the environment and saving resources, the toxicity of the waste residue obtained from the experiment was investigated, and the residue was carbonized and roasted to obtain anode material with good recycling and rate performance. This work provides an efficient, low-cost, and green process to recover the valuable components of spent cathode powder, and realizes the recycling of leaching residue, which has a great application prospect.

Automated summary

A hydrometallurgical process assisted with waste areca powder was proposed for the recovery of valuable metals from spent Li-ion batteries cathode. The study found that under optimal experimental conditions, nearly 99.9% of Ni, Co, Mn, and Li can be leached. The waste residue obtained from the experiment was investigated for toxicity and carbonized and roasted to obtain anode material with good recycling and rate performance.