The Review of Existing Strategies of End-of-Life Graphite Anode Processing Using 3Rs Approach: Recovery, Recycle, Reuse

While past recycling efforts have primarily concentrated on extracting valuable metals from discarded cathode materials, the focus is now shifting towards anode materials, particularly graphite, which makes up 10–20% of LIB mass. Escalating prices of battery-grade graphite and environmental considerations surrounding its production highlight the significance of graphite recycling. This review categorizes methods for graphite recovery into three approaches: recovery, recycle, and reuse. Moreover, it explores their potential applications and comparative electrochemical performance analysis, shedding light on the promising prospects of utilizing spent graphite-based functional materials. The review underscores the importance of sustainable recycling practices to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by the proliferation of LIBs and the growing demand for graphite.