SusChem: Development and fundamental investigation of a novel low cost recycling technology for spent Li-ion batteries

1605692 Chen，Hailong由于高能量密度和长循环寿命，锂离子电池（LIB）正在成为最受欢迎的可充电电池之一，用作各种设备和工具的电源，例如传感器，智能手机，电动和混合动力电动汽车。然而，LIB的许多电极材料是有毒的并且潜在地对环境有害。此外，LIB电极成分Co、Ni和Li也是相对贵重的金属，依赖于来自美国以外的地质有限的来源。因此，从环境、可持续性以及国家安全考虑的角度来看，具有回收废LIB的良好策略至关重要。然而，由于LIB系统中复杂的化学物质，开发高效且经济合理的回收方法在科学和实践上都具有挑战性。与成熟且快速发展的锂离子电池制造业相比，锂离子电池回收行业仅处于起步阶段。目前的锂离子电池回收技术要么能源昂贵，要么对环境不友好。本项目将探索一种从废旧锂离子电池中回收钴、镍、锂金属的低成本新方法，对回收过程的每一个步骤进行系统研究，以获得以下基本认识：（1）如何最好地处理废旧锂离子电池;（2）如何有效地从电极材料中提取和分离有价值的元素;以及（3）如何使该方法对于多种LIB化学性质是稳健的。先进的原位表征方法，如同步辐射原位X射线衍射，将用于研究电极材料在回收反应中的反应机理。该项目的发现可能会大大推进对金属氧化物的化学反应以及溶液中纳米团簇的成核和晶体生长的认识。这种新的回收方法的开发和优化可以显着减少从废锂离子电池的潜在环境危害，降低锂离子电池的生产成本，并通过将其从当前的开环模式转变为闭环模式，提高锂离子电池行业的可持续性。关于能源技术和环境挑战的新课程将在格鲁吉亚理工学院组织，重点是研究中突出的跨学科研究机会。如果这项技术被证明是有效的和可扩展的商业化，它可以成为当前锂离子电池行业的一个改变游戏规则的因素，并可以为运输行业带来革命性的变化，因为它将显着改变这些行业的成本-生产关系和可持续性方面。

1605692 Chen, HailongOwing to high energy density and long cycling life, Li-ion batteries (LIB) are becoming one of the most popular rechargeable batteries used as power sources in a variety of devices and tools, such as in sensors, smart phones, electric and hybrid electric vehicles. However, many of the electrode materials of LIBs are toxic and potentially environmentally hazardous. Additionally, LIB electrode constituents Co, Ni, and Li are also relatively precious metals relying on geologically limited sources from outside of the U.S. Therefore, from the viewpoint of environmental, sustainability, as well as national security considerations, it is critically important to have good strategies to recycle spent LIBs. However, it is scientifically and practically challenging to develop a highly efficient and economically justifiable recycling method, owing to the complex chemistries in LIB systems. The LIB recycling industry is only at the starting stage compared to the mature and fast growing LIB manufacturing industry. Current LIB recycling technologies are either energy costly or environmentally unfriendly. In this project, a novel low cost method to recycle Co, Ni, and Li metals from spent LIBs will be explored.Systematic investigation will be applied on each and every step of the recycling process to achieve a fundamental understanding on (1) how to best handle spent LIBs, (2) how to effectively and efficiently extract and separate the valuable elements from the electrode materials, and (3) how to make the method robust for a wide variety of LIB chemistries. Advanced in situ characterization methods, such as synchrotron based in situ X-ray diffraction, will be used to study the reaction mechanisms of the electrode materials in the recycling reactions. Findings from this project may greatly advance knowledge on the chemical reactions of metal oxides and the nucleation and crystal growth of nanoclusters in solution. The development and optimization of this novel recycling method may significantly reduce the potential environmental hazards from spent LIBs, lower the cost of LIB production, and increase the sustainability of LIB industry by turning it from a current open-loop model to a close-loop model. A new course on Energy Technology and Environmental Challenges will be organized at Georgia Tech focusing on the interdisciplinary research opportunities that are highlighted in the research. If this technology is proved to be effective and scalable for commercialization, it can be a game changing factor to current Li-ion battery industry and can bring revolutionary changes to the transportation industry as it would significantly change the cost-production relationship and sustainability aspects of these industries.