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Characterization and Thermal Treatment of the Black Mass from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Elsayed Mousa

    (SWERIM AB, Aronstorpsvägen 1, SE-974 37 Luleå, Sweden
    Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Cairo 12422, Egypt)

  • Xianfeng Hu

    (SWERIM AB, Aronstorpsvägen 1, SE-974 37 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Ludvig Ånnhagen

    (SWERIM AB, Aronstorpsvägen 1, SE-974 37 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Guozhu Ye

    (SWERIM AB, Aronstorpsvägen 1, SE-974 37 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Antonella Cornelio

    (INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Ario Fahimi

    (INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Elza Bontempi

    (INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Patrizia Frontera

    (INSTM and Dipartimento DICEAM, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito, 89122 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Charlotte Badenhorst

    (Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Science Institute-Porto Pole, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ana Cláudia Santos

    (Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Science Institute-Porto Pole, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Karen Moreira

    (Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Science Institute-Porto Pole, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Alexandra Guedes

    (Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Science Institute-Porto Pole, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

  • Bruno Valentim

    (Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, Earth Science Institute-Porto Pole, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Recycling lithium-ion batteries is crucial for the environment and the sustainability of primary resources. In this paper, we report on the characterization of two grades of black mass from spent lithium-ion batteries (with typical lithium–nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide cathode compositions) and their behavior during heating trials. This study paves the way for optimizing lithium-ion battery recycling processes by fully characterizing black mass samples before and after heating. A gas release under pyrolytic conditions was detected using a multicomponent mass spectrometer and included dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, oxygenated hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, and other miscellaneous gases. This can be attributed to the evaporation of volatile organic compounds, conductive salt, organic polyvinylidene fluoride binder, and an organic separator such as polypropylene. Thermal treatment led to the partial decomposition of the binder into char and newly formed fluorine cuboids. The compaction of the cathode decreased, but the remaining binder limited recycling processes. By heating the black mass samples to 900 °C, the intensity of the X-ray diffraction graphitic carbon peak decreased, and the lithium metal oxides were reduced to their corresponding metals. The graphite in the black mass samples was structurally more disordered than natural graphite but became more ordered when heated.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsayed Mousa & Xianfeng Hu & Ludvig Ånnhagen & Guozhu Ye & Antonella Cornelio & Ario Fahimi & Elza Bontempi & Patrizia Frontera & Charlotte Badenhorst & Ana Cláudia Santos & Karen Moreira & Alexandra, 2022. "Characterization and Thermal Treatment of the Black Mass from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:15-:d:1008655
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. John D. Graham & John A. Rupp & Eva Brungard, 2021. "Lithium in the Green Energy Transition: The Quest for Both Sustainability and Security," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-23, October.
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