Selective lithium recovery from spent NCM type Li-ion battery materials by powder electrolysis

This study presents an eco-friendly electrochemical method for selectively recovering lithium from spent NCM (LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2) materials via powder electrolysis. Traditional recycling methods often generate hazardous gases and require high temperatures or excess chemical reagents. Using a custom-designed electrolytic cell and a porous anode frame in which the NCM powders were mounted, this innovative method ensures continuous contact between the electrode powder and the anode within an optimized pH of the electrolyte, thereby enhancing lithium extraction efficiency while minimizing the co-leaching of other metals. By adjusting the initial pH of the electrolyte and leveraging localized acidic and alkaline conditions created during electrolysis, high lithium extraction efficiency was achieved. Experimental results show that at an initial electrolyte pH of 2 and a temperature of 85°C, the leaching efficiency of Li reached 94.62 wt%, with minimal dissolution of Ni, Co, and Mn (i.e., 1.80 wt%, 0.52 wt%, and 0.13 wt%, respectively). This method improves the efficiency of lithium recovery and reduces environmental impact by eliminating hazardous gas emissions and minimizing the use of chemical reagents. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd