Parameter Study on the Recycling of LFP Cathode Material Using Hydrometallurgical Methods

Abstract

The need to recover critical elements from lithium-ion batteries is undisputed. The further development of cathode materials and the move towards cheaper alternatives make it necessary to adapt the corresponding hydrometallurgical recycling processes. In the best case, however, a process is so flexibly structured and designed that it can be used for a variety of cathode materials with different compositions. The leaching of nickel manganese cobalt oxide with sulfuric acid and a reducing agent has already been demonstrated and optimized in previous research work. Based on these data, an evaluation of the process as well as a parameter study for lithium iron phosphate cathode material, which has recently been used with increasing frequency but has a significantly lower valuable metal content, was carried out within the scope of this publication. By using the synergy effects that occur, an optimized parameter combination for the leaching of the critical element lithium could be found and further critical factors identified.