Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure

Abstract The current change in battery technology followed by the almost immediate adoption of lithium as a key resource powering our energy needs in various applications is undeniable. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of the industry and offer excellent performance. The application...

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Main Authors: P. M. Tembo, C. Dyer, V. Subramanian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-08-01
Series:NPG Asia Materials
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-024-00562-8
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author P. M. Tembo
C. Dyer
V. Subramanian
author_facet P. M. Tembo
C. Dyer
V. Subramanian
author_sort P. M. Tembo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The current change in battery technology followed by the almost immediate adoption of lithium as a key resource powering our energy needs in various applications is undeniable. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of the industry and offer excellent performance. The application of LIBs is expected to continue to increase. The adoption of renewable energies has spurred this LIB proliferation and resulted in a dramatic increase in LIB waste. In this review, we address waste LIB collection and segregation approaches, waste LIB treatment approaches, and related economics. We have coined a “green score” concept based on a review of several quantitative analyses from the literature to compare the three mainstream recycling processes: pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling. In addition, we analyze the current trends in policymaking and in government incentive development directed toward promoting LIB waste recycling. Future LIB recycling perspectives are analyzed, and opportunities and threats to LIB recycling are presented.
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spelling doaj-art-e599de9898244f919b8ea9913c90b9302025-01-19T12:28:25ZengNature PortfolioNPG Asia Materials1884-40572024-08-0116112010.1038/s41427-024-00562-8Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructureP. M. Tembo0C. Dyer1V. Subramanian2Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Nevada-RenoDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Nevada-RenoDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Nevada-RenoAbstract The current change in battery technology followed by the almost immediate adoption of lithium as a key resource powering our energy needs in various applications is undeniable. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of the industry and offer excellent performance. The application of LIBs is expected to continue to increase. The adoption of renewable energies has spurred this LIB proliferation and resulted in a dramatic increase in LIB waste. In this review, we address waste LIB collection and segregation approaches, waste LIB treatment approaches, and related economics. We have coined a “green score” concept based on a review of several quantitative analyses from the literature to compare the three mainstream recycling processes: pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling. In addition, we analyze the current trends in policymaking and in government incentive development directed toward promoting LIB waste recycling. Future LIB recycling perspectives are analyzed, and opportunities and threats to LIB recycling are presented.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-024-00562-8
spellingShingle P. M. Tembo
C. Dyer
V. Subramanian
Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
NPG Asia Materials
title Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
title_full Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
title_fullStr Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
title_full_unstemmed Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
title_short Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
title_sort lithium ion battery recycling a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41427-024-00562-8
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