Fundamental Research on Green and Efficiency Recovery and Regeneration of Lithium Iron Phosphate Cathode Materials

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Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated energy storage battery market due to their specific energy density to support the vehicle electrification and large-scale harvesting of renewable power. However, there is no efficient recycling method available. Thus, the large amount of spent LIBs will cause potential hazardous impact to the environment as well as significant loss of high-valuable resources, and therefore promote the development of LIBs chemistry and techniques on recycling spent LIBs. In this project, novel process for the recycling of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP) electrode materials from spent power battery is proposed. In order to achieve feasibility, cost effectiveness, high extraction efficiency, and robustness of regenerated LFP, short hydrometallurgical recycling-route will be established with directly phosphoric-acid leaching to regenerate active LFP with sufficient capability of Li-ion storage for LIBs assembly. Furthermore, molecular design of novel ditopic extractants, which enable the binding of both, lithium and phosphate as ion pair, are investigated. This approach allows a state-of-the-art separation from impurities to product inorganic Li salts of high quality. Based on the accumulation of scientific research achieved, this Sino-German project will combine the advantage of extraction techniques, advanced molecular and synthetic chemistry from the German side and the expertise of hydrometallurgy from the Chinese side. The research cooperation will cover the kinetics of leaching, the intrinsic molecular mechanism of new extractants, the size manipulation of regenerated LFP, and the optimization of operational parameters for the whole recycling process. The hydrometallurgy-extraction strategy proposed with related product design and industrialization will firmly support the sustainable development of renewable energy and the extensive use of LIBs.