Direct Recycling of Lithium-ion Batteries: Challenges and Solutions

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Although lithium-ion batteries have greatly advanced these fields, more and more people are becoming concerned about how to safely handle retired lithium-ion batteries. Direct recycling, as a feasible method, is superior to pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling in terms of environmental benefits and economic feasibility. However, it is currently only a laboratory-proven recycling method. This article comprehensively analyzes the obstacles that hinder the practical application of direct recycling, including manual dismantling, careful disassembly, separation, and technological limitations. In addition, we propose feasible solutions from both present and future perspectives. Finally, we emphasize the importance of establishing an intelligent recycling framework for efficient recycling of lithium-ion batteries.