Development of sustainable and efficient recycling technology for spent Li-ion batteries: Traditional and transformation go hand in hand

• Published in: Green energy & environment 2024-05, Vol.9 (5), p.802-830
• Main Authors: Liu, Zejian, Liu, Gongqi, Cheng, Leilei, Gu, Jing, Yuan, Haoran, Chen, Yong, Wu, Yufeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Batteries; Carbon; Clean energy; Closed loops; Contamination; Decarbonization; Electric vehicles; Electrodes; Emissions; Energy consumption; Energy storage; Fossil fuels; High value utilization; LCA analysis; Life cycle analysis; Life cycle assessment; Lithium; Lithium-ion batteries; Policy guidance; Raw materials; Rechargeable batteries; Recycling; Spent LIBs; Supply chains; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Technology; Transformative recycling
• ISSN: 2468-0257; 2096-2797; 2468-0257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gee.2023.09.001

Clean and efficient recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become an urgent need to promote sustainable and rapid development of human society. Therefore, we provide a critical and comprehensive overview of the various technologies for recycling spent LIBs, starting with lithium-ion power batteries. Recent research on raw material collection, metallurgical recovery, separation and purification is highlighted, particularly in terms of all aspects of economic efficiency, energy consumption, technology transformation and policy management. Mechanisms and pathways for transformative full-component recovery of spent LIBs are explored, revealing a clean and efficient closed-loop recovery mechanism. Optimization methods are proposed for future recycling technologies, with a focus on how future research directions can be industrialized. Ultimately, based on life-cycle assessment, the challenges of future recycling are revealed from the LIBs supply chain and stability of the supply chain of the new energy battery industry to provide an outlook on clean and efficient short process recycling technologies. This work is designed to support the sustainable development of the new energy power industry, to help meet the needs of global decarbonization strategies and to respond to the major needs of industrialized recycling. Graphical Abstract of industrial closed loop recycling of spent LIBs. [Display omitted] •Review of recycling technologies for spent LIBs and a proposed approach to change.•Explore future recycling methods from the aspects of economy, energy and policy.•Clean-efficient-short hydrometallurgical recovery of spent LIBs is the key focus.•It promotes the rapid development of decarbonized power society in the future.•Advanced recycling technology for industrialization is a top priority.