Electrochemical recovery of lithium-ion battery materials from molten salts by microstructural characterization using X-ray imaging

This study investigates the electrochemical recovery of cobalt metal from lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) using molten salt, specifically a LiCl-KCl eutectic, as a greener solvent for extraction. The primary objective was to enhance the mechanistic understanding of this recovery process, which is crucial for optimizing the technology for sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). Utilizing X-ray computed tomography, we conducted a detailed analysis of the electrochemical deposition of cobalt from LiCoO2-LKE samples before and after electrolysis at elevated temperatures (450°C). This non-destructive imaging technique provided valuable insights into the microstructural changes and morphological evolution associated with cobalt recovery. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in showcasing the roles of process conditions and cell configurations in refining the pyro-electrochemical reprocessing technology, thereby significantly contributing to resource conservation and environmental sustainability in battery recycling applications.