From failure to function: recycling spent lithium-ion batteries for catalytic applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely deployed but generate significant waste.
• Traditional recycling methods for spent LIBs are often costly and yield low-value products.
• Developing high-value regeneration pathways is crucial for sustainable LIB recycling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the conversion of spent LIBs into advanced catalysts.
• To highlight applications in electrocatalysis and environmental catalysis.
• To provide insights into challenges and future directions for value-added LIB recycling.

Main Methods:

• Systematic analysis of recent progress in converting LIB electrode materials into catalysts.
• Emphasis on applications in oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and organic pollutant degradation.
• Summarization of challenges and proposal of future research directions.

Main Results:

• Spent LIB cathode and anode materials are viable precursors for catalyst fabrication due to their unique properties.
• Recycled LIB materials demonstrate effectiveness in various catalytic applications, including electrocatalysis and environmental remediation.
• The review consolidates current research, identifying key areas for advancement.

Conclusions:

• Converting spent LIBs into catalysts presents a promising route for high-value resource utilization.
• Further research should focus on green synthesis, controlled material design, and techno-economic assessments.
• This approach supports the integration of LIB recycling into sustainable development frameworks.