Sustainable leaching of critical metals from lithium ion battery black mass using a citric acid and choline chloride deep eutectic solvent

The recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is of critical importance due to the increasing demand for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices. It also helps address supply risks of critical raw materials and reduces the environmental impact of mining. Traditional recycling methods are often inefficient and environmentally damaging. This study investigates the use of deep eutectic solvents (DES), made from citric acid and choline chloride, for leaching valuable metals from black mass derived from spent LIBs. The research focuses on optimizing the leaching parameters, such as temperature, DES ratio, and solid-to-liquid ratio, to maximize the recovery of critical metals while minimizing environmental impact. The findings reveal that the optimized leaching process can efficiently recover significant amounts of critical metals, showcasing the potential for using DES as a sustainable alternative in the recycling of LIBs. These results contribute to the development of more eco-friendly recycling methods that support the circular economy and reduce reliance on virgin metals.