Umeå University's logo

Elemental extraction from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is considered the most mature and inevitable recycling route. However, industrial hydrometallurgy (Hydro) and pyrometallurgy (Pyro) strategies necessitate complex processes with high energy and chemical consumption, leading to significant environmental impacts and reduced profitability. Here, a strategy for low-consumption recycling of spent LIBs using the batteries’ intrinsic energy through thermal runaway is presented. Direct thermal runaway heats the battery to promote cathode thermal reduction, thereby changing the thermodynamics and sluggish kinetics of element extraction. Taking LiMn_0.64Ni_0.29Co_0.07O₂ batteries as an example, thermal runaway battery recycling can save at least 37.9% and 55.7%, respectively, in energy and chemical consumption compared to Pyro and Hydro, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54.6% and 44.5%, respectively. This results in a profit of 1.94 $ kg⁻¹ battery, which is comparatively higher than the 1.14 $ kg⁻¹ for Hydro and 0.79 $ kg⁻¹ for Pyro recovery strategies.