Re-synthesis and Electrochemical Characteristics of LiFePO4 Cathode Materials Recycled from Scrap Electrodes

This paper describes an environmentally friendly process for the recovery of $LiFePO_4$ cathode materials from scrap electrodes by a simple thermal treatment method. The active materials were easily separated from the aluminum substrate foil and polymeric binders were also decomposed at different temperatures ($400^{\circ}C$, $500^{\circ}C$, $600^{\circ}C$) for 30 min under nitrogen gas flow. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The electrochemical properties of the recycled $LiFePO_4$ cathode were evaluated by galvanostatic charge and discharge modes. The specific charge/discharge capacities of the recycled $LiFePO_4$ cathode were similar to those of the original $LiFePO_4$ cathode. The $LiFePO_4$ cathode material recovered at $500^{\circ}C$ exhibits a somewhat higher capacity than those of other recovered materials at high current rates. The recycled $LiFePO_4$ cathode also showed a good cycling performance.