We are all users of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrochemical energy storage devices that revolutionized our life, making the diffusion of portable and wearable devices possible and now driving the switch from a combustion engine to electric vehicles in the transportation sector. These positive trends are however leading to two whiplash effects: the issue related to management of LIBs when they reach the end of their life (EoL-LIBs) and the supply of the critical raw materials (CRMs) needed to produce the essential LIBs’ components. Recycling of EoL-LIBs is the answer to these two problems, addressing the aspects of waste management while providing a secondary source of CRMs needed to produce new LIBs, in a closed-loop circular economy scheme. The proposed laboratory activity is specifically focused on the recycling of LiCoO2, the most diffused cathode material and also the one containing the highest amount of CRMs. The students will be called to analyze the degradation procedure through acidic leaching, comparing the method today mostly exploited at industrial level (using inorganic acid) and the method recently proposed in the scientific literature (exploiting organic acids). Students will be called to consider not only quantitative chemical indicators (yields of degradation and recovery of CRMs) but also the cost, safety, and disposal of the procedure. The aim of this experience is to drive the students to critically consider all aspects related to sustainability, to present them the tools to quantitatively assess it, and to create awareness regarding a technology involved in our everyday life.

Carena, E., Morina, R., Brugnetti, G., Pianta, N., Binetti, S., Ferrara, C. (2024). The Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries LiCoO2 Cathode: Balancing Sustainability and Efficiency. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, 101(5), 2124-2133 [10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00204].

The Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries LiCoO2 Cathode: Balancing Sustainability and Efficiency

Carena, E;Morina, R;Brugnetti, G;Pianta, N;Binetti, S;Ferrara, C
2024

Abstract

We are all users of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrochemical energy storage devices that revolutionized our life, making the diffusion of portable and wearable devices possible and now driving the switch from a combustion engine to electric vehicles in the transportation sector. These positive trends are however leading to two whiplash effects: the issue related to management of LIBs when they reach the end of their life (EoL-LIBs) and the supply of the critical raw materials (CRMs) needed to produce the essential LIBs’ components. Recycling of EoL-LIBs is the answer to these two problems, addressing the aspects of waste management while providing a secondary source of CRMs needed to produce new LIBs, in a closed-loop circular economy scheme. The proposed laboratory activity is specifically focused on the recycling of LiCoO2, the most diffused cathode material and also the one containing the highest amount of CRMs. The students will be called to analyze the degradation procedure through acidic leaching, comparing the method today mostly exploited at industrial level (using inorganic acid) and the method recently proposed in the scientific literature (exploiting organic acids). Students will be called to consider not only quantitative chemical indicators (yields of degradation and recovery of CRMs) but also the cost, safety, and disposal of the procedure. The aim of this experience is to drive the students to critically consider all aspects related to sustainability, to present them the tools to quantitatively assess it, and to create awareness regarding a technology involved in our everyday life.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Constructivism; Consumer Chemistry; Cooperative Learning; Industrial Chemistry; Interdisciplinary; Laboratory Instruction; Second-Year Undergraduate; Upper-Division Undergraduate;
English
23-apr-2024
2024
101
5
2124
2133
reserved
Carena, E., Morina, R., Brugnetti, G., Pianta, N., Binetti, S., Ferrara, C. (2024). The Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries LiCoO2 Cathode: Balancing Sustainability and Efficiency. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, 101(5), 2124-2133 [10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00204].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Carena-2024-J Chem Educ-VoR.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Licenza: Tutti i diritti riservati
Dimensione 4.85 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.85 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/482127
Citazioni
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
Social impact