Recycling and regeneration of energy storage materials from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through microwave leaching

Due to the metal present in the spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the research community needs to make their recycling to maintain the resources and environmental sustainability. The essential component of the LIB cathode defines its economic recycling capacity. The current study attempted to develop an efficient microwave-assisted leaching technique based on the solid phase extraction method for the extraction of metal recovery from the spent LIB leach solution. The leaching of the cathode materials was carried out by using the H 2 SO 4 and H 2 O 2 in the solid–liquid ratio of 40 g L −1 . The percentage leaching efficiency and the effect of temperature, power, time, pulp density, and reagent were analysed. The optimum leaching efficiency was observed at a temperature of 60 °C, at a time of 30 min, and at a power of 50 W. The leaching efficiency of Li, Co, Ni, Cu, Mn, and Al are 99%, 98%, 91.043%, 95%, 92%, and 86% respectively. The leach liquor is further precipitated with 2 M NaOH to get the required product which was relithiated with the suitable salt of lithium (LiOH) to maintain the stoichiometric ratio. The electrochemical studies reveal that the material having excellent electrochemical properties comprises a specific capacitance of 133.94 Fg −1 in 1 M KOH electrolytic solution.