Columbia University

Amrita Sarkar

Richard E May

Lauren Elizabeth Marbella

Materials such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and lithium cobalt (III) oxide (LCO) are recovered and recycled from cathode films isolated from end-of-life batteries, including lithium-ion batteries. Cathode films are immersed in solution including N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (NMP), a tetrahydrofuran (THF):NMP mixture, or a THF:DMF mixture. The solution is able to dissolve PVDF, which can then be separated from LCO and a conductive substrate component of the cathode films via alumina column separation. A PVDF product can be precipitated and recovered, while the LCO and conductive substrate can be recovered directly from the alumina column separator. Both the PVDF and LCO are of suitable quality for use in new cathode films. Such recovery is shown to be achievable even at low solid to liquid ratio during the dissolution process. Thus, economically feasible solvent-based recycling of battery cathodes is enabled to prolong the service life of cathode materials and reduce polymeric waste.

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Amrita Sarkar