Leaching valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using the reducing agent methanol

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22414-0
• Publication Date: 2022-08-15T15:03:56Z
• Authors: Lingyu Kong; Zhaowen Wang; Zhongning Shi; Xianwei Hu; Aimin Liu; Wenju Tao; Benping Wang; Qian Wang
• Keywords: Electric Power Supplies; Reducing Agents; Metals; Methanol; 11. Sustainability; Recycling; 02 engineering and technology; Lithium; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy; 12. Responsible consumption

When considering resource shortages and environmental pressures, salvaging valuable metals from the cathode materials of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a very promising strategy to realize the green and sustainable development of batteries. The reductive acid leaching of valuable metals from cathode materials using methanol as a reducing agent was studied. The results show that the leaching efficiencies of Co and Li are 99% under optimal leaching conditions. The leaching kinetics of cathode materials in a H2SO4-methanol system indicate that the leaching of Co and Li is controlled by diffusion, with activation energies of 69.98 and 10.78 kJ/mol, respectively. Detailed analysis of the leaching reaction mechanism indicates that methanol is ultimately transformed into formic acid through a two-step process to further enhance leaching. No side reactions occur during leaching. Methanol can be a sustainable alternative for the reductive acid leaching of valuable metals from spent LIBs due to its high efficiency, application maturity, environmental friendliness, and low cost.