Electrochemical Approaches for Resource Recovery and Circulation for the Sustainability of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used owing to their high energy density and excellent cycle life. The rapid growths in the markets of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESSs) have accelerated the rise of demand for LIBs. Meanwhile, significant concerns about the supply chains of the critical resources such as lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) have been raised. For this reason, there are research efforts to develop innovative technologies for resource recovery and circulation, including the recycling of valuable materials in spent LIBs. Conventional strategies for resource recovery and battery recycling have a number of issues to be addressed, as they are often time consuming, energy intensive, and are carried out in harsh chemical conditions. These can eventually cause high operation costs and environmental expenses. Herein, electrochemical methods that could be used for recovering the critical elements for LIBs are introduced. Electrochemistry-based approaches to replace elemental reactions in hydrometallurgy and to separate valuable resources are discussed, with the potential target to minimize the energy consumption and the use of toxic chemicals. Furthermore, expanding the role of electrochemistry to establish the sustainable LIB cycle is investigated.