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Batteries

Efficient Recycling Methods for Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries Emerges as a Critical Need

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems continues to grow, researchers at King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok are working to develop more efficient and sustainable recycling methods. Their study, published in the journal Metals, investigates the effect of oxidative roasting on lithium extraction from industrially sourced LFP blackmass. The research found that contrary to expectations, mild-acid leaching did not improve lithium recovery compared to unroasted material, yielding approximately 33% extraction efficiency. However, strong-acid leaching achieved over 95% lithium recovery but also resulted in significant co-dissolution of iron and other impurities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study highlights the need for efficient and sustainable recycling methods for LFP batteries, as the demand for these batteries continues to grow.
  • Oxidative roasting on lithium extraction from industrially sourced LFP blackmass was investigated, with mild-acid leaching achieving only 33% extraction efficiency compared to unroasted material.
  • Strong-acid leaching achieved over 95% lithium recovery, but resulted in significant co-dissolution of iron and other impurities.
  • The researchers suggest that direct hydrometallurgical methods could be more effective for complex, impurity-rich LFP blackmass streams.
  • The study's findings have implications for the development of more efficient recycling methods for LFP batteries, which are critical for the growth of the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.

Statistics:

  • 95%: lithium recovery achieved through strong-acid leaching
  • 33%: extraction efficiency of mild-acid leaching compared to unroasted material
  • 46%: graphite content in industrially sourced LFP blackmass
  • 650°C: temperature at which roasting was performed
  • 1 hour: duration of roasting
  • 40 g/L: concentration of mild-acid leaching solution
  • 20°C: temperature of mild-acid leaching solution
  • pH 2: acidity of mild-acid leaching solution
  • pH 0: acidity of strong-acid leaching solution

Sources:

  • Metals, 2025,15(7):739. (Metals - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/metals)
  • Effect of Oxidative Roasting on Selective Leaching of Lithium from Industrially Shredded Lithium Iron Phosphate Blackmass. (Metals - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/metals)
  • Sirindhorn International Thai German Graduate School of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand.

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