Recycling of spent Lithium-ion Batteries: A comprehensive review for identification of main challenges and future research trends

With the rapid development of electric vehicles, the disposal of retired lithium batteries is a grand challenge for the waste management based on reliability, efficiency and sustainability criteria. Majority of studies in the literature review, have focused on the minimization of environmental pollution while maximizing economic profits. However, the literature is still in favor of different reliability, efficiency and sustainability criteria which are urgent and essential for the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs). To this end, this study does a comprehensive review on existing methods, key issues, and technical challenges in the field of SLIBs recycling. The significant contributions of this work are to systematically explain the pretreatment process, leaching process, chemical purification process, and industrial applications. Finally, future research opportunities and managerial insights in the field of SLIBs recycling are discussed while introducing smart, intelligent and sustainable recycling of SLIBs.