Characterization of Lithium-Ion Batteries from Recycling Perspective towards Circular Economy

Recycling processes of lithium-ion batteries used in electric and hybrid vehicles are widely studied today. To perform such recycling routes, it is necessary to know the composition of these batteries and their components. In this work, three pouch and three cylindrical LIBs were discharged, dismantled, and characterized, having their compositions known and quantified. The dismantling was performed using scissors, pliers, and a precision cutter equipment. The organic liquid electrolyte was quantified via mass loss after it evaporated at 60 °C for 24 h. The separators were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the cathode and anode active materials were analyzed using a scanning electronic microscope coupled to an energy-dispersive spectroscope (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XDR), and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). All LIBs were identified by type (NCA, NMC 442, NMC 811, LCO, and two LFP batteries), and a preliminary economic evaluation was conducted to understand their potential economic value (in USD/t). Both results (characterization and preliminary economic evaluation) were considered to discuss the perspective of recycling towards a circular economy for end-of-life LIBs.