A review on direct regeneration of spent lithium iron phosphate: From waste to wealth

Tianyu Zhao; Yeonuk Choi; Chengqian Wu; Zhifei Zhang; Chenyang Wang; Dongfu Liu; Wenhua Xu; Haigang Huang; Xiangyang Huo; Weiduo Zhao; Zhongwei Zhao; Weilun Li

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177748

A review on direct regeneration of spent lithium iron phosphate: From waste to wealth

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 29:957:177748. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177748. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, Queen's University, 25 Union Street, Kingston, Ontario K7L3N6, Canada.
² Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, 5 King's College Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
³ School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China.
⁴ Zhongyuan Critical Metals Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China.
⁵ Zhongyuan Critical Metals Laboratory, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, China. Electronic address: liweilun@zzu.edu.cn.

PMID: 39615177
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177748

Abstract

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are widely used due to their affordability, minimal environmental impact, structural stability, and exceptional safety features. However, as these batteries reach the end of their lifespan, the accumulation of waste LFP batteries poses environmental hazards. Recycling these batteries is crucial for mitigating pollution risks and enabling secondary resource utilization. Traditional metallurgical recycling methods offer limited economic returns for waste LFP batteries due to their relatively low value compared to other types of cathode materials. Therefore, direct regeneration has emerged as a simpler, more cost-effective, and promising alternative. Given the stable crystal structure of LFP after decommissioning, direct regeneration by repairing lithium vacancy defects presents significant potential. This paper critically reviews the research progress on LFP regeneration, particularly focusing on developments over the past five years, and evaluates the industrial feasibility and pros and cons of these methods. Grounded in the concepts of wealth and waste, this paper adopts a novel perspective to discuss the processes of LFP degeneration and regeneration. It examines the dual attributes of waste and wealth in waste LFP batteries, elucidating the relationship and transformation between these two aspects. In particular, the paper discusses the value of LFP in its three forms-new, second-life, and waste-and the environmental and safety impacts of waste LFP batteries. It emphasizes the importance of converting waste into wealth and the role of regeneration as a potential means in the LFP recycling process. The paper objectively assesses the current challenges and opportunities, aiming to provide insights into the importance of LFP battery recycling and to explore potential avenues for advancing regeneration technologies through this comprehensive review.

Keywords: Lithium iron phosphate; Lithium-ion batteries; Recycling; Regeneration; Waste; Wealth.

Publication types

Review