Abstract:

Driven by the global energy transition and the goal of "carbon neutrality", lithium-ion batteries, as the core component of clean energy storage, are particularly important for recycling. Among them, the regeneration and utilization of spent graphite anodes are key links in resource recycling and carbon emission reduction. The review focuses on two aspects: the regeneration and repair process of spent graphite and the application of recycled graphite. It systematically summarizes the recycling of spent graphite throughout its entire life cycle, including the pretreatment and recycling methods of spent graphite. It highlights three major methods for graphite recycling and regeneration: removing organic binders and other impurities from spent graphite through high-temperature pyrolysis; leaching with solvents including inorganic acids, organic acids, and deep eutectic solutions to recover metal ions from spent graphite; and combining pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy to leverage the advantages of both processes to achieve deep removal of impurities and efficient recovery of various components. Additionally, based on the characteristics of the regenerated graphite, such as abundant oxygen-containing groups on its surface and expanded interlayer spacing, the review explores the potential applications of regenerated graphite in areas such as graphene, sodium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors, pointing out its broad prospects in the field of energy storage. By combining existing research, this article analyzes the main challenges in the field of graphite recycling and proposes corresponding solutions, providing theoretical guidance for promoting the industrialization of precise and efficient graphite recycling methods.

Key words: Spent lithium-ion batteries, Spent graphite, Recycling and Regeneration, Carbon neutrality