• Resources Recycling
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.28-40
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• 2024

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the latest research trends in wet processing methods for recycling LiFePO₄ batteries. In particular, it analyzes various chemical leaching methods for the selective recovery of lithium from these batteries, evaluating their efficiency. The study covers lithium recovery techniques using strong and weak acids, leaching processes utilizing strong oxidants, and lithium recovery through isomorphic substitution reactions involving salts. Additionally, this research explores optimal leaching conditions to maximize lithium recovery, discusses various chemical reactions for the selective recovery of lithium, iron, and phosphorus, and offers insights into their potential. Ultimately, the paper aims to serve as a valuable reference for the advancement and practical application of LiFePO₄ battery recycling technologies.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.43-52
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• 2021

In this study, the optimal nitration process for selective lithium leaching from powder of a spent battery cell (LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂, LiCoO₂) was studied using Taguchi method. The nitration process is a method of selective lithium leaching that involves converting non-lithium nitric compounds into oxides via nitric acid leaching and roasting. The influence of pretreatment temperature, nitric acid concentration, amount of nitric acid, and roasting temperature were evaluated. The signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance of the results were determined using L₁₆(4⁴) orthogonal arrays. The findings indicated that the roasting temperature followed by the nitric acid concentration, pretreatment temperature, and amount of nitric acid used had the greatest impact on the lithium leaching ratio. Following detailed experiments, the optimal conditions were found to be 10 h of pretreatment at 700℃ with 2 ml/g of 10 M nitric acid leaching followed by 10 h of roasting at 275℃. Under these conditions, the overall recovery of lithium exceeded 80%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the leaching residue in deionized water after roasting of lithium nitrate and other nitrate compounds was performed. This was done to determine the cause of rapid decrease in lithium leaching rate above a roasting temperature of 400℃. The results confirmed that lithium manganese oxide was formed from lithium nitrate and manganese nitrate at these temperatures, and that it did not leach in deionized water. XRD analysis was also used to confirm the recovery of pure LiNO₃ from the solution that was leached during the nitration process. This was carried out by evaporating and concentrating the leached solution through solid-liquid separation.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.79-86
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• 2019

Recently, the use of lithium ion battery(LIB) has increased. As a result, the price of lithium and the amount spent lithium on ion battery has increased. For this reason, research on recycling lithium in waste LIBs has been conducted1). In this study, the effect of roasting for the selective lithium leaching from the spent LIBs is studied. Chemical transformation is required for selective lithium leaching in NCM LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂) of the spent LIBs. The carbon in the waste EV cell powder reacts with the oxygen of the oxide at high temperature. After roasting at 550 ~ 850 ℃ in the Air/N₂ atmosphere, the chemical transformation is analysed by XRD. The heat treated powders are leached at a ratio of 1:10 in D.I water for ICP analysis. As a result of XRD analysis, Li₂CO₃ peak is observed at 700 ℃. After the heat treatment at 850 ℃, a peak of Li₂O was confirmed because Li₂CO₃ is decomposed into Li₂O and CO₂ over 723 ℃. The produced Li₂O reacted with Al at high temperature to form LiAlO₂, which does not leach in D.I water, leading to a decrease in lithium leaching ratio. As a result of lithium leaching in water after heat treatment, lithium leaching ratio was the highest after heat treatment at 700 ℃. After the solid-liquid separation, over 45 % of lithium leaching was confirmed by ICP analysis. After evaporation of the leached solution, peak of Li₂CO₃ was detected by XRD.