A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries

As the new energy vehicle industry expands, the rising volume of decommissioned lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) poses significant challenges related to resource depletion and environmental pollution. To address these issues and promote sustainable recycling practices, researchers have explored various...

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Main Authors: Jiahao Li, Sabereh Nazari, Xiaoxue Ma, Neng Wei, Yaqun He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Next Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001595
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author Jiahao Li
Sabereh Nazari
Xiaoxue Ma
Neng Wei
Yaqun He
author_facet Jiahao Li
Sabereh Nazari
Xiaoxue Ma
Neng Wei
Yaqun He
author_sort Jiahao Li
collection DOAJ
description As the new energy vehicle industry expands, the rising volume of decommissioned lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) poses significant challenges related to resource depletion and environmental pollution. To address these issues and promote sustainable recycling practices, researchers have explored various techniques, including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and bio-leaching methods. Cathode materials, which account for 26 % of battery costs, are a key focus due to their economic value. This review summarizes thermal reduction recovery technologies for cathode materials in spent LIBs, examining processes such as thermite reduction, carbothermic reduction, and salinization roasting, and evaluating their efficiencies and environmental impacts. The review emphasizes the importance of policy support and technological advancements in advancing the battery recycling sector. It also explores future research directions, including reducing agents derived from spent batteries and assessing the industrial scalability of recycling technologies. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of thermal reduction recovery for spent LIBs, aiming to guide and inspire future research and development.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Elsevier
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spelling doaj-art-d92c43b82c3e4bffb8388f74e5aca2322025-08-20T02:16:05ZengElsevierNext Materials2949-82282025-07-01810064110.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100641A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteriesJiahao Li0Sabereh Nazari1Xiaoxue Ma2Neng Wei3Yaqun He4School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaSchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaCorresponding author.; School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaAs the new energy vehicle industry expands, the rising volume of decommissioned lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) poses significant challenges related to resource depletion and environmental pollution. To address these issues and promote sustainable recycling practices, researchers have explored various techniques, including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and bio-leaching methods. Cathode materials, which account for 26 % of battery costs, are a key focus due to their economic value. This review summarizes thermal reduction recovery technologies for cathode materials in spent LIBs, examining processes such as thermite reduction, carbothermic reduction, and salinization roasting, and evaluating their efficiencies and environmental impacts. The review emphasizes the importance of policy support and technological advancements in advancing the battery recycling sector. It also explores future research directions, including reducing agents derived from spent batteries and assessing the industrial scalability of recycling technologies. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of thermal reduction recovery for spent LIBs, aiming to guide and inspire future research and development.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001595Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)RecyclingReduction roastingSynergistic pyrolysis
spellingShingle Jiahao Li
Sabereh Nazari
Xiaoxue Ma
Neng Wei
Yaqun He
A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
Next Materials
Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)
Recycling
Reduction roasting
Synergistic pyrolysis
title A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
title_full A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
title_fullStr A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
title_full_unstemmed A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
title_short A critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries
title_sort critical review on the advances in thermal reduction technology for recycling spent lithium ion batteries
topic Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)
Recycling
Reduction roasting
Synergistic pyrolysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822825001595
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