Spent rechargeable lithium batteries in e-waste: composition and its implications

Abstract

The amount of spent rechargeable lithium batteries (RLBs) is growing rapidly owing to wide application of these batteries in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles, which obliges that spent RLBs should be handled properly. Identification of spent RLBs can supply fundamental information for spent RLBs recycling. This study aimed to determine the differences of physical components and chemical compositions among various spent RLBs. All the samplings of RLBs were rigorously dismantled and measured by an inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The results indicate that the average of total weight of the separator, the anode and the cathode accounted for over 60% of all the RLBs. The weight ratio of valuable metals ranged from 26% to 76%, and approximately 20% of total weight was Cu and Al. Moreover, no significant differences were found among different manufacturers, applications, and electrolyte types. And regarding portable electronic devices, there is also no significant difference in the Co-Li concentration ratios in the leaching liquid of RLBs.

Keywords

rechargeable lithium batteries / e-waste / physical components / difference analysis / recycling

References

[1] NotterD A, GauchM, WidmerR, WägerP, StampA, ZahR, AlthausH J. Contribution of Li-ion batteries to the environmental impact of electric vehicles. Environmental Science & Technology, 2010, 44(17): 6550–6556

[2] ScrosatiB, GarcheJ. Lithium batteries: status, prospects and future. Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(9): 2419–2430

[3] ZengX L, LiJ H, RenY S. Prediction of various discarded lithium batteries in China. Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST), 2012 IEEE International Symposium on, Boston, 2012, 1–4

[4] ZengX L, LiJ H. Implications for the carrying capacity of lithium reserve in China. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2013, 80: 58–63

[5] DewulfJ, Van der VorstG, DenturckK, Van LangerhoveH, GhyootW, TytgatJ, VandeputteK. Recycling rechargeable lithium ion batteries: critical analysis of natural resource savings. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2010, 54(4): 229–234

[6] ZengX L, LiJ H, SinghN. Recycling of spent lithium-ion battery: a critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2014, 10(44): 1129–1165

[7] LisbonaD, SneeT. A review of hazards associated with primary lithium and lithium-ion batteries. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2011, 89(6): 434–442

[8] KangD H P, ChenM, OgunseitanO A. Potential environmental and human health impacts of rechargeable lithium batteries in electronic waste. Environmental Science & Technology, 2013, 47(10): 5495–5503

[9] JhaM K, KumariA, JhaA K, KumarV, HaitJ, PandeyB D. Recovery of lithium and cobalt from waste lithium ion batteries of mobile phone. Waste Management, 2013, 33(9): 1890–1897

[10] LiJ H, ShiP X, WangZ F, ChenY, ChangC C. A combined recovery process of metals in spent lithium-ion batteries. Chemosphere, 2009, 77(8): 1132–1136

[11] WangR, LinY, WuS. A novel recovery process of metal values from the cathode active materials of the lithium-ion secondary batteries. Hydrometallurgy, 2009, 99(3–4): 194–201

[12] XinB, ZhangD, ZhangX, XiaY, WuF, ChenS, LiL. Bioleaching mechanism of Co and Li from spent lithium-ion battery by the mixed culture of acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing and iron-oxidizing bacteria. Bioresource Technology, 2009, 100(24): 6163–6169

[13] ZengX L, LiJ H. Innovative application of ionic liquid to separate Al and Cathode materials from spent high-power lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2014, 271: 50–56

[14] ShuvaM A H, KurnyA. Hydrometallurgical recovery of value metals from spent lithium ion batteries. American Journal of Materials Engineering and Technology, 2013, 1(1): 8–12

[15] TarasconJ M, ArmandM. Issues and challenges facing rechargeable lithium batteries. Nature, 2001, 414(6861): 359–367

[16] ContestabileM, PaneroS, ScrosatiB. A laboratory-scale lithium-ion battery recycling process. Journal of Power Sources, 2001, 92(1–2): 65–69

[17] KangK, MengY S, BrégerJ, GreyC P, CederG. Electrodes with high power and high capacity for rechargeable lithium batteries. Science, 2006, 311(5763): 977–980

[18] AntoliniE. LiCoO₂: formation, structure, lithium and oxygen nonstoichiometry, electrochemical behaviour and transport properties. Solid State Ionics, 2004, 170(3–4): 159–171

[19] BalkeN, JesseS, MorozovskaA N, EliseevE, ChungD W, KimY, AdamczykL, GarcíaR E, DudneyN, KalininS V. Nanoscale mapping of ion diffusion in a lithium-ion battery cathode. Nature Nanotechnology, 2010, 5(10): 749–754

[20] ZengX L, ZhengL X, XieH H, LuB, XiaK, ChaoK, LiW, YangJ X, LinS, LiJ H. Current status and future perspective of waste printed circuit boards recycling. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2012, 16: 590–597

[21] LiL, GeJ, ChenR, WuF, ChenS, ZhangX. Environmental friendly leaching reagent for cobalt and lithium recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries. Waste Management, 2010, 30(12): 2615–2621

[22] DuanH B, HouK, LiJ H, ZhuX. Examining the technology acceptance for dismantling of waste printed circuit boards in light of recycling and environmental concerns. Journal of Environmental Management, 2011, 92(3): 392–399

[23] StevelsA, HuismanJ, WangF, LiJ H, LiB Y, DuanH B. Take back and treatment of discarded electronics: a scientific update. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 2013, 7(4): 475–482

[24] DorellaG, MansurM B. A study of the separation of cobalt from spent Li-ion battery residues. Journal of Power Sources, 2007, 170(1): 210–215

[25] ShinS M, KimN H, SohnJ S, YangD H, KimY H. Development of a metal recovery process from Li-ion battery wastes. Hydrometallurgy, 2005, 79(3–4): 172–181

[26] NanJ M, HanD M, ZuoX X. Recovery of metal values from spent lithium-ion batteries with chemical deposition and solvent extraction. Journal of Power Sources, 2005, 152: 278–284

[27] XuJ, ThomasH R, FrancisR W, LumK R, WangJ, LiangB. A review of processes and technologies for the recycling of lithium-ion secondary batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2008, 177(2): 512–527

[28] LiL, ChenR, SunF, WuF, LiuJ. Preparation of LiCoO₂ films from spent lithium-ion batteries by a combined recycling process. Hydrometallurgy, 2011, 108(3–4): 220–225

[29] LuX, LeiL, YuX, HanJ. A separate method for components of spent Li-ion battery. Battery Bimonthly, 2007, 37(1): 79–80 (in Chinese)

[30] SunL, QiuK. Organic oxalate as leachant and precipitant for the recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Waste Management, 2012, 32(8): 1575–1582

[31] KimD, SohnJ, LeeC, LeeJ, HanK, LeeY. Simultaneous separation and renovation of lithium cobalt oxide from the cathode of spent lithium ion rechargeable batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 2004, 132(1–2): 145–149

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg