This study presents a novel, environmentally sustainable approach to recycling spent lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) battery cathode materials by integrating mechanochemical extraction with high-temperature thermal reduction. The method transforms hazardous waste into valuable chemicals—lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and metallic cobalt (Co⁰)—without generating toxic byproducts or liquid waste. The process begins with mechanical grinding of LiCoO₂ powder using dry ice as a co-grinding reagent under planetary ball milling conditions. Under mechanical force, the crystalline structure of LiCoO₂ is disrupted, leading to in situ conversion into Li₂CO₃ and a carbon-tricobalt tetroxide (C/Co₃O₄) residue. Optimal recovery of Li₂CO₃ was achieved at a dry ice to LiCoO₂ mass ratio of 20:1, a rotation speed of 700 rpm, and a reaction time of 1.5 hours, yielding a maximum recovery efficiency of 95.9048-46-8 InChIKey 04 wt%. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the successful transformation and purity of the products.
The Li-free residue, primarily composed of Co₃O₄ and residual carbon, underwent high-temperature thermal reduction at 800 °C in a CO₂ atmosphere. Gibbs free energy analysis demonstrated that the carbon present in the residue acts as an effective self-reducing agent, enabling the carbothermal reduction of Co₃O₄ to metallic Co⁰ without external reductants.Bim Antibody In stock XRD patterns of the post-treatment product showed complete disappearance of Co₃O₄ peaks and emergence of Co⁰ diffraction signals, confirming full conversion.PMID:35201246 The resulting Co⁰ product exhibited high purity and potential for reuse in industrial applications.
This green recycling route relies solely on dry ice and water—non-toxic, renewable, and recyclable materials—eliminating the need for strong acids, bases, or organic solvents. It operates at ambient temperature during mechanochemical steps, minimizing energy consumption. The entire process avoids solid residues and wastewater discharge, aligning with all twelve principles of green chemistry. Economic assessment confirms feasibility at laboratory scale, with high recovery yields and low operational costs. This method offers a scalable, safe, and sustainable alternative to conventional hydrometallurgical processes, positioning it as a benchmark for future e-waste recycling technologies.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com