A comprehensive review of full recycling and utilization of cathode and anode as well as electrolyte from spent lithium-ion batteries

With the rapid growth in demand and production capacity of lithium-ion batteries, many spent lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs) have also ushered in blowout retirement. The huge number of SLIBs have the dual attributes of hazardous waste and high value-added resources, and it is important to realize the efficient recovery and reuse of SLIBs. However, current research on battery recycling mainly focuses on the recovery of metals in the cathode scrap, with little reported on the recovery of electrolyte and anode scrap. Therefore, this paper summarizes various pretreatment methods, analyzes the recycling processes of electrolyte and anode scrap with less research, compares the advantages and disadvantages of various processes during cathode scrap recovery, briefly introduces and evaluates some of the latest recycling methods, and summarizes the recycling mechanisms of all valuable components in the recycling process of SLIBs, to provide a comprehensive explanation of the recycling processes for all valuable components in SLIBs. Based on this, a non-polluting, low-cost, short-process, and high-efficiency closed-loop recycling concept is proposed: “Battery materials refinement classification-electrolyte purification and regeneration-cathode scrap regeneration conversion-anode scrap remanufacturing with value-added”. Finally, the challenges and development trends of future recycling and resource utilization methods for SLIBs are explored, to provide theoretical support and technical guidance for the efficient recycling and utilization of all valuable components of SLIBs.