Recovery of valuable elements from lithium-ion batteries

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19856
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 64:Environmental conservation measure and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Yuuki Mochizuki 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 特任助教 (90546087)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: リチウムイオンバッテリー / 塩素化 / 酸化 / 分離 / 回収 / リサイクル / 乾式

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the separation and recovery of Li and Ni, Co, or Mn by the chlorination method using simulated LIB cathode material (LiNO2(LNO), LiCoO2(LCO), LiMn2O4(LMO)). Next, the selective separation of Li and Ni, Co, or Mn by oxidation treatment of chlorinated LNO, LCO, and LMO was examined based on the characterization results of chlorinated model LIB materials. When all samples were treated by chlorination, volatilization of Li, Ni, Co, or Mn was observed above 700oC. Therefore, it was difficult to separate the constituent elements separately. On the other hand, when LNO, LCO, and LMO were chlorinated up to 600oC and then heat-treated in air up to 1300oC, Li, Ni, Co, and Mn could be selectively separated.

Free Research Field

環境化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本成果は今後、廃棄量が増大すると予想されるリチウムイオンバッテリーからLi,Ni,Co,Mnを選択的に分離可能なリサイクル法に発展する可能性がある。そのため、これら元素資源を持たない我が国の資源確保に貢献できる可能性であり、その社会的意義は大きい。