Spent Lithium‐Ion Batteries Derived Co3O4 for Electrocatalytic Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic Recycling

Abstract

AbstractSpent lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are an essential secondary resource containing valuable metal elements. Transforming spent LIBs into efficient catalysts through a simple process presents a promising strategy to address both metal resource scarcity and clean energy challenges. Herein, a deep eutectic solvent‐assisted synthesis of Co3O4 material from spent LIBs is proposed. The obtained Co3O4 material possesses efficient and stable electrocatalytic activity for converting raw polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into high‐purity formic acid and terephthalic acid products under ambient conditions. As expected, the Co3O4 catalyst exhibits a high FE of 92 % with a concentration of produced potassium formate of 23.6 mM under alkaline conditions. This study presents a waste‐treating‐waste strategy for the simultaneous recovery of spent LIBs and PET waste in a greener manner.