Lithium Ion Battery Recycling Through Material Separation
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to develop a lab-scale procedure to recycle lithium ion batteries, which can be scaled up to an industrial process in the future. SUBJECTS: The batteries utilized for this project were from A123 Systems and contained a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cathode active material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The process developed included dismantling a battery cell inside a safety glove box with fume hood, using an acid leaching method for both the anode (sulfuric acid for copper) and cathode (nitric acid for aluminum) separation process. ANALYSES: The optimum recycling procedure was identified as allowing for the successful dismantling of an A123 cylindrical LiFePO4 cell and complete separation of the coatings from the anode (copper) and cathode (aluminum) foils by utilizing the least amount of leaching agent, at the lowest temperature, and under the shortest time period. RESULTS: Full separation of the graphite coating from the anode’s copper foil was achieved by using 0.5 mol/L of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) at 40°C for 2 min. Full separation of the LiFePO4 from the cathode’s aluminum foil was achieved by using 0.5 mol/L of HNO3 (nitric acid) at 50°C for 2 min. Alternative material separation methods have also been explored, but the optimal results were obtained from the acid leaching method. Conclusions: This project determined the first step of the LiFePO4 battery recycle process and will continue to be studied for development of a commercial recycling process.
Lithium Ion Battery Recycling Through Material Separation
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to develop a lab-scale procedure to recycle lithium ion batteries, which can be scaled up to an industrial process in the future. SUBJECTS: The batteries utilized for this project were from A123 Systems and contained a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cathode active material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The process developed included dismantling a battery cell inside a safety glove box with fume hood, using an acid leaching method for both the anode (sulfuric acid for copper) and cathode (nitric acid for aluminum) separation process. ANALYSES: The optimum recycling procedure was identified as allowing for the successful dismantling of an A123 cylindrical LiFePO4 cell and complete separation of the coatings from the anode (copper) and cathode (aluminum) foils by utilizing the least amount of leaching agent, at the lowest temperature, and under the shortest time period. RESULTS: Full separation of the graphite coating from the anode’s copper foil was achieved by using 0.5 mol/L of H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) at 40°C for 2 min. Full separation of the LiFePO4 from the cathode’s aluminum foil was achieved by using 0.5 mol/L of HNO3 (nitric acid) at 50°C for 2 min. Alternative material separation methods have also been explored, but the optimal results were obtained from the acid leaching method. Conclusions: This project determined the first step of the LiFePO4 battery recycle process and will continue to be studied for development of a commercial recycling process.