Recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries as a sustainable solution to obtain raw materials for different applications

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) containing graphite as anode material and LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, and LiNixMnyCozO2 as cathode materials are the most used worldwide because of their high energy density, capacitance, durability, and safety. However, such widespread use implies the generation of large amounts of electronic waste. It is estimated that more than 11 million ton of LIBs waste will have been generated by 2030. Battery recycling can contribute to minimizing environmental contamination and reducing production costs through the recovery of high-value raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The most common processes used to recycle spent LIBs are pyrometallurgical, biometallurgical, and hydrometallurgical. Given the current scenario, it is necessary to develop environmentally friendly methods to recycle batteries and synthesize materials with multiple technological applications. This study presents a review of industrial and laboratory processes for recycling spent LIBs and producing materials that can be used in new batteries, energy storage devices, electrochemical sensors, and photocatalytic reactions.