Autogenous Pressure Assisted Aqua‐Thermal Regeneration of Spent Graphite in a Designed Reactor: Second‐Life Electrochemistry and Technoenvironmental Benefits

Abstract A green and sustainable route of recycling spent graphite is the solution of its forthcoming shortage. Present recycling approaches include high‐temperature treatment in the range of 700–1500 °C accompanied by several steps of washing with toxic solvents causing secondary environment pollution. Herein, a solvothermal stirring reactor is designed, which accomplishes graphite regeneration at an appreciably low temperature of 200 °C in aqueous media. The simultaneous impact of temperature and centrifugal force assisted by the pressure autogenerated within closed reactor eliminates surface impurity, repairs structural disorder, and yields 99.9% pure product. Regenerated graphite serves second life as good as first life exhibiting Li + ‐intercalation capacity of 321 mAh g −1 at 0.5C current rate with 92.8% capacity retention after 200 cycles. This one‐step graphite reclamation route is environmentally benign too reducing energy input, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions as quantified by techno‐environmental calculations.