Method for recovering particulate material from electrical components

Abstract

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for recovering particulate material from a component of an electrochemical cell. In another aspect, a method is provided for recovering metal oxide particulate active material. The metal oxide is effectively separated from other cell components and is rendered to a form reusable as an active material for a new electrochemical cell. In still another aspect, a method is provided for recovering lithium metal oxide particulate active material and for regenerating the lithium metal oxide active material back to its initial nominal condition usable as battery grade material in an electrochemical cell. In the latter aspect, the invention provides the capability of treating lithium-deficient metal oxide active material which has become lithium-deficient from repeated cycling in a cell. The lithium-deficient active material is characterized by a lesser lithium content as compared to its nominal initial condition before cycling in a cell. By the method of the invention, the lithium metal oxide spent material is regenerated to its nominal initial condition and usable as battery grade material to fabricate another cell. Particulate materials, recoverable by the various methods described herein, include, but are not limited to, metal oxides, lithium metal oxides, and graphitic/carbon materials.