Lithium batteries - Secondary systems – Lithium-ion systems | LiB recycling: Review of recycling technologies

Recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LiB) is attracting attention in recent years due to concerns over environmental protection, regulations and resource security resulting from the rapidly expanding market for electric vehicles (EV) and LiB. Recycling of cathode active materials (CAM) containing highly valuable metals such as Li, Ni and Co is particularly important. Recycling technologies for CAM are generally classified into three types: pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling. Although direct recycling has not been industrialized yet, it is considered to be the most efficient technology because CAM is recovered without being decomposed and further CAM production is not necessary. Separation of CAM from LiB components and healing of deteriorated CAM are required in direct recycling. Removal of impurities such as Cu, Al, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and carbon black is especially important because such impurities can deteriorate CAMs during the healing process.