One-Pot Cathode Regeneration from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries via Persulfate-Induced Lattice Destruction

The rapid expansion of the electric vehicle market poses a significant challenge to the efficient and environmentally friendly recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries. Current organic acid recovery methods face limitations in efficiency and cost, hindering their broader application. Additionally, the cost and complexity of the process are increased by the requirement for additional extraction treatment of the metal-rich leachate. In this study, a closed-loop recycling approach is proposed, wherein mild leaching is achieved through persulfate activated by both hydrothermal treatment and the cathode material, in synergy with sucrose and acetic acid. Subsequently, regenerated cathode materials are resynthesized directly from the leachate via a sol–gel method, and impurities are effectively removed by thorough washing with deionized water following precalcination. Over 90% of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn are recovered from spent cathode materials under optimal conditions. Furthermore, the regenerated ternary material exhibited a favorable crystal structure and demonstrated a capacity retention rate of 91.6% after 100 cycles at 0.5C, comparable to commercial cathode material. This method is expected to provide a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective approach for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries, thereby addressing the escalating requirements of the expanding lithium-ion battery market.