Recovery and resource recycling of graphite anode materials for spent lithium-ion batteries

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0193

Abstract

Abstract:

Popularizing innovative energy vehicles is a strategic decision for promoting green growth and ensuring energy security. It is a significant step in reducing carbon emissions in the automobile industry, particularly toward achieving carbon neutrality and carbon peaking in China. As the core power source for innovative energy vehicles, the green recycling and effective use of spent lithium-ion batteries are directly related to the realization of green and sustainable development in the electric vehicle industry. Graphite is currently the state-of-the-art anode material for commercial lithium-ion batteries owing to its high reversible capacity and good cycling stability. Therefore, the recovery and recycling of used graphite anode materials should be actively investigated. This study discusses recent technology for recovering and treating anode graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries. Several recovery and treatment approaches, such as deep purification, selective lithium extraction, and residual electrolyte removal, and their limits are described. The diversified resource recycling paths of recycled graphite and its products are summarized on the basis of different graphite structural characteristics, including its role as anode material or raw material for catalysts, graphene, and composite films. Furthermore, the life cycle evaluation of graphite recycling is outlined, and the environmental effect advantages and disadvantages of various graphite recycling treatment systems are explored. Finally, the technological problems and future developments of graphite recovery and resource recycling for lithium-ion battery anodes are explored. In addition, we recommend that future research should concentrate on the following four-in-one development: elucidating the battery failure mechanism, realizing the efficient recovery of all components, adhering to the new idea of green chemistry, and widening the market of high-value applications.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, anode graphite, recovery, resource recycling, full life cycle assessment

CLC Number:

X 734.2

YAN Qiaoyi, WU Feng, CHEN Renjie, LI Li. Recovery and resource recycling of graphite anode materials for spent lithium-ion batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(6): 1760-1771.

Figures/Tables 8

Table 1

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项目	质量/kg
项目	HEV	PHEV	EV
石墨	4.08	8.35	47.40
锂作为阴极活性材料	0.37	0.76	4.22
电池组	34.00	67.00	316.00

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