Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2024, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (11): 3796-3810.doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0569

• Energy Storage Materials and Devices • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research progress on impurity removal and repair regeneration of spent graphite negative electrode powder

Changjie SHEN1(), Jingjing LI1, Haidi JIANG1, Yuqiang ZHANG1, Haoran DA2, Jie YAN2, Haitao ZHANG1,2()   

  1. 1.Zhengzhou Institute of Emerging Industrial Technology, Zhengzhou 450000, Henan, China
    2.Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
  • Received:2024-06-21 Revised:2024-06-22 Online:2024-11-28 Published:2024-11-27
  • Contact: Haitao ZHANG E-mail:cjshen@ipezz.ac.cn;htzhang@ipe.ac.cn

Abstract:

Power lithium-ion batteries possess a specific service life, typically around 5-8 years, after which they must be decommissioned. Spent batteries contain a wealth of valuable energy metals and strategic elements. Notably, the graphite from the negative electrode is classified as a strategic mineral element, constituting 12% to 21% of the battery's composition. Without proper handling, it will lead to resource waste and environmental governance pressure. This article summarizes an overview of the recent research progress on the reuse of spent graphite negative electrode powder from three aspects: failure mechanism, impurity removal methods, and repair regeneration. Firstly, the article conducts a systematic anylysis of the failure mechanism of spent graphite, examining four aspects: solid electrolyte interphase thickening failure, surface dendrites, active particle rupture, and collector corrosion; Secondly, the efficient removal methods of impurity ions from spent graphite are emphatically introduced, including acid-base treatment, deep eutectic solvent leaching, electrolysis, etc; Lastly, the article emphasizes strategies for the repair and reuse of spent graphite, including carbon material coating repair, metal oxide coating repair, and the construction of artificial surface interface. The article also discusses the development direction and application prospects of spent graphite, suggesting that future regeneration efforts will focus on high value, low energy consumption, and sustainable practices. It is anticipated that this article will serve as a theoretical foundation and guide for the resourceful utilization of graphite negative electrodes from retired power batteries.

Key words: spent lithium batteries, graphite anode, recovery processing, resource utilization

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