Resynthesizing of lithium cobalt oxide from spent lithium-ion batteries using an environmentally benign and economically viable recycling process

Abstract An environmentally benign and economically viable recycling process for spent lithium-ion batteries was developed. Seven acid recycling processes from strong and weak acid groups were compared using the parameters like product purity, overall process efficiency, environmental and economical indices. Using these indices, the recycling processes were compared using filter-based technique and validated with maximum area coverage methods. The experimental data for these indices were found out by various characterization techniques like SEM, XRD, FTIR, ICP-OES and life cycle assessment approach along with extraction efficiencies of the processes. Oxalic acid-based recycling process was found to be the most environmentally benign and economically viable process among the chosen recycling processes. Lithium cobalt oxide was resynthesized using the material extracted from spent lithium-ion batteries using oxalic acid-based recycling process. We obtain a purity of 90.13% of lithium cobalt oxide, thereby making it feasible for battery fabrication.