Li-ion Batteries Waste Processing and Utilization Progress: A Review

Li ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used as energy storage for electronic devices and electric vehicles. Due to its limited lifetime, its disposal can cause a serious environmental problem. Heavy metals are highly toxic and require serious handling. Moreover, the some of the heave metals are considered valuable to be directly discarded. In this review, LIBs waste processing techniques were discussed. The cathode material which contain high amount of heavy metals can be processed using metallurgical approach, such as: pyro-metallurgy, hydro-metallurgy and bio-metallurgy which have their own advances and disadvantages. The recovery of heavy metals can be performed by bottom-up process such as chemical precipitation, hydrothermal, and sol-gel process. In the end, the recovered valuable metals can be used as precursor to Li-ion batteries materials, thus reducing the exploitation of metals through mining process and reducing hazardous waste.