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From battery waste to catalytic innovation: upcycling spent lithium-ion battery cathodes into La-Ni based perovskites for synergistic CO2 valorization and low-tar biomass gasification

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Listed:
  • Ma, Mingyu
  • Chen, Yang
  • Zhang, Jiehan
  • Wang, Xi
  • Wu, Juan
  • Chen, Xingyue
  • Li, Dengxin
  • Sang, Wenjing
  • Xu, Shihong

Abstract

The development of cost-effective and high-performance composite metal catalysts is a crucial strategy for upgrading syngas in CO2 biomass gasification. With the rapid advancements in new energy technologies, spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) present great recycling value owing to their high concentrations of valuable Li and transition metals. By utilizing cathode materials enriched from spent LIBs as a sustainable source of Li and Co, we developed a series of modified La-Ni perovskite catalysts. Among them, LNO/2L2C-L exhibited remarkable catalytic activity, achieving a syngas yield 6.05 times higher than that of non-catalytic gasification while realizing nearly 100% carbon conversion and tar reduction rates. Meanwhile, it demonstrated excellent catalytic stability in the cyclic gasification. Based on the characterization and DFT calculation results, the substitution of Li+ and Co3+ from LIBs at perovskite sites generates abundant surface O−/O2− species, which significantly enhances catalytic gasification efficiency of biomass. Simultaneously, the cracking effects exerted by Ni-Co sites on C-C and C-H bonds in aromatic rings and Li+ on O-H bonds significantly facilitate the removal of tar. This work offers a promising strategy for transforming hazardous battery waste into cost-effective catalysts while advancing carbon-negative biomass conversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Ma, Mingyu & Chen, Yang & Zhang, Jiehan & Wang, Xi & Wu, Juan & Chen, Xingyue & Li, Dengxin & Sang, Wenjing & Xu, Shihong, 2026. "From battery waste to catalytic innovation: upcycling spent lithium-ion battery cathodes into La-Ni based perovskites for synergistic CO2 valorization and low-tar biomass gasification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:262:y:2026:i:c:s0960148126002764
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2026.125451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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