07-Oct-2021 | Market Research Store
The domestic and commercial usage of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has reached its peak. So far, these energy reservoirs are being used in a wide range of consumer electronics and automotive. Such extensive utilization has urged researchers and engineers to think of recycling and repurposing the constituent components of exhausted batteries.
Elemental analysis and cell chemistry are the two key areas that are required to monitor recycling rates. Furthermore, the depleted LIBs comprise state-of-the-art materials along with a variety of cell chemistries and metal oxides generated earlier. A graphitic anode has nickel, cobalt, and manganese cathode as the typical components present in a modern LIB. Between the electrodes, a crucial component is fixed, known as a separator, which is submerged in the electrolyte. Inductively coupled plasma-based technologies offer one of the best parameters to determine all the elements of interest in elemental analysis.
Thermal treatment and solvent extraction are the two approaches that could be used to eliminate certain unwanted chemicals. However, during these procedures, the conducting salt and sections of the organic carbonate solvents get degraded, thereby lowering the overall recycling efficiency. Sub- and supercritical extraction is proven to be beneficial in resolving these challenges.
The analytical values of chemicals are determined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). More information regarding the nature of the released molecules can be obtained using GC-based approaches. Elemental analysis is performed to assess residual fluorine or sulfur levels and to determine whether additional heat or extraction cleaning phases are needed.
Before creating fresh cells with the recycled material, the chemical structure and purity of the anode and cathode materials must be validated during re-synthesis. When graphite is employed as an anode material, it is important to determine its crystallinity as it significantly affects electrochemical performance. High-pressure carbon dioxide can have a good impact on crystallinity.
LIB recycling is an orchestrated collection of physical processes and analytical methods that provide crucial information ranging from the first assessment of the recycling waste to the characterization of the re-synthesized materials used in recycled lithium-ion batteries.
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