Recycling automotive Li(NiyMnzCo1-y-z)O2 /C batteries
Paper in proceeding, 2014

Li-ion batteries are now used in electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Nanostructured Li(NiyMnzCo1-y-z)O2 is one of the more popular cathode chemistries for automotive Li-ion battery, due to its enhanced properties such as large surface area, short diffusion length, enhanced ionic and electronic conductivity, improved mechanical strength and structural integrity [Pan et al, #y2013]. Recycling of Li-ion batteries helps to mitigate environmental effects of virgin metal extractions along with improper disposal of end of life batteries. To fulfill these objectives of the recycling, recovery of pure streams of the involved metals should be considered. In this study, the batteries were first discharged and dismantled in an inert atmosphere (Ar). The electrodes were then heat treated in a box furnace. This was done in order to break the chains of the adhesive (PVDF) and consequently separate the metallic substrates Cu and Al from the electrochemically active compound. This heat-treatment also helped to simplify the dissolution of the metal constituents in the electrochemically active compound from the cathode in the acid leaching process. Solvent extraction was chosen to achieve separation and recovery of metals with higher purity from these leachates. In the scope of the present work, a complete process from the point of dismantling to separation of constituent metals using solvent extraction was studied.

Hydrometallurgy

Li-ion battery recycling

Solvent extraction

NMC electrode

Metal recovery

Author

Sravya Kosaraju

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Industrial Materials Recycling

Christian Ekberg

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Industrial Materials Recycling

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry

Stefan Allard

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Industrial Materials Recycling

27th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2014, Santiago, Chile, 20-24 October 2014


978-956-9393-15-0 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Inorganic Chemistry

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Energy

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2/1/2022 1