Electrochemical Li Recovery from Spent LiFePO 4 -Based Li-Ion Batteries

The increase in electric vehicles (EVs) powered by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will generate a massive number of spent LIBs in the future. LiFePO 4 has recently become the most desired cathode for LIBs in EVs because it is remarkably cheaper and safer than other cathodes. Recovering lithium from spent LiFePO 4 batteries using conventional methods, however, may not be economically viable because there are no valuable metals to recover in LiFePO 4 other than lithium. This study reports the invention of an electrochemical system, composed of a Li + -extraction cell and a Li + -recovery cell, which can recycle Li + from spent LiFePO 4 -LIBs as Li 3 PO 4, Li 2 CO 3, or LiOH using simple and cost-effective procedures. While recovering Li +, these cells also regenerate the acid consumed for Li + leaching, minimizing the chemicals needed and the waste generated, enabling sustainable and environmentally benign Li + recycling. The choice of electrodes, operation principles, performance, and variation of the Li + -extraction/recovery cells are reported.