Efficient Regeneration of Graphite from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries through Combination of Thermal and Wet Metallurgical Approaches

Abstract

With the large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in various fields, spent LIBs are considered one of the most important secondary resources. Few studies have focused on recycling anode materials despite their high value. Herein, a new efficient recycling and regeneration method of spent anode materials through the combination of thermal and wet metallurgical approaches and restored graphite performance is presented. Using this method, the lithium recycling ratio from spent anode materials reaches 87%, with no metal impurities detected in the leaching solution. The initial Coulombic efficiency of the recycled graphite (RG) materials is 90.5%, with a reversible capacity of 350.2 mAh/g. Moreover, RG shows better rate performance than commercial graphite. The proposed method is simple and efficient and does not involve toxic substances. Thus, it has high economic value and application potential in graphite recycling from spent LIBs.