Recycling of Valuables from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries for Sustainable Development in Energy Storage Systems

Abstract

In the past several years, lithium-ion batteries (LIB) have been widely used in portable electronics ubiquitous. Due to technological advancement and as an alternate source of the stored energy system, lithium-ion batteries or rechargeable batteries become the most promising to use in electric vehicles. In the coming decades, a huge number of electric vehicles are predicted to be on the road worldwide. As a result, a large number of lithium-ion batteries will be produced. As per the current trend of handling spent batteries hold, most of those batteries may end up in landfills. Currently, a few numbers (<5 percent) of spent Li-ion batteries are being recycled. Extensive research works are being carried out worldwide to develop electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. Many electric vehicle industries are engaged to develop high-efficiency rechargeable batteries. It is important to note that the industrial revolution created cradle to grave system. However, for sustainable development in energy storage systems and the corresponding resources management, cradle to cradle system is highly desirable. Recycling plays a crucial role in sustainable resource management for the future generation. The cathode and anode electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries contain valuables that can be recycled and reused in new battery manufacture. Cathode material contains mixed oxide reaches in valuable elements such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, and the anode material contains valuables such as copper and graphite. We studied the zero waste valorization of spent lithium-ion batteries for sustainable development in energy storage systems.