Advances and perspectives towards spent LiFePO4 battery recycling

The booming development of the lithium-ion battery market has aroused the transformation of people's consumption and life style. As a significant branch of lithium-ion batteries, LiFePO4 (LFP)-type batteries has been widely employed in electric vehicles and energy storage devices due to its high safety and decent charge-discharge stability. Nevertheless, the resulted massive scrap of LFP batteries will greatly pose environmental threats and waste of resources if appropriate technical means are not adopted. The advanced recycling methods of spent LFP cathode have long been constantly explored in recent years but have not been systematically discussed. Hence, this review comprehensively summarizes the recovery technologies of spent LiFePO4 cathode in the current status, including traditional pyro-/hydro-metallurgical processes, direct regeneration and other innovative methods, etc. Furthermore, the pretreatment process is also covered to promote all-sided understanding of the development of LFP cathode recovery approaches. Based on the systematic analysis of spent LFP cathode recycling, the future outlook of efficient recycling methods is proposed to promote the sustainable development of spent lithium-ion batteries. Schematic illustration of strategies and characteristics towards spent LFP cathode recycling. [Display omitted] •A comprehensive summary and prospect of spent LFP cathode recycling.•Pretreatment is introduced to ensure deep understanding of recycling implication.•Mainstream recycling technologies of spent LFP battery are reviewed.•Up-to-date novel recycling methods for spent LFP cathode are summarized.•Future challenges and perspectives are proposed to promote efficient recycling.