Direct lithium extraction from spent batteries for efficient lithium recycling.

Active lithium is directed extracted from retired lithium-ion batteries with optimized conditions utilizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nonpolar ether solvent. Using the recovered lithium solution, LiFePO 4 with performance on par with commercial materials are synthesized. This recycling approach shows excellent economic benefits and practical prospects. [Display omitted] The flourishing expansion of the lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) market has led to a surge in the demand for lithium resources. Developing efficient recycling technologies for imminent large-scale retired LIBs can significantly facilitate the sustainable utilization of lithium resources. Here, we successfully extract active lithium from spent LIBs through a simple, efficient, and low-energy-consumption chemical leaching process at room temperature, using a solution comprised of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ether solvents. The mechanism of lithium extraction is elucidated by clarifying the relationship between the redox potential and extraction efficiency. More importantly, the reclaimed active lithium is directly employed to fabricate LiFePO 4 cathode with performance comparable to commercial materials. When implemented in 56 Ah prismatic cells, the cells deliver stable cycling properties with a capacity retention of ∼90% after 1200 cycles. Compared with the other strategies, this technical approach shows superior economic benefits and practical promise. It is anticipated that this method may redefine the recycling paradigm for retired LIBs and drive the sustainable development of industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]