Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Lithium from Wastewater Generated During Direct Battery Recycling Processes

With the rising demand for lithium-ion batteries, efficient recycling methods are crucial to reduce environmental impact and minimize primary resource consumption. This study explores the recovery of valuable metals from materials obtained after battery direct recycling. Direct battery recycling focuses on selective impurity removal (e.g., copper, aluminum, and graphite) to produce a partially refined cathode material that requires minimal further processing. In contrast, black mass—generated from crude crushing of batteries—contains higher impurity levels and undergoes a series of hydro- and pyro-metallurgical processes to isolate key battery metals. To maximize the recovery of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, this research optimizes leaching and solvent extraction methods. The recovered materials are then purified to industrial standards, enabling their incorporation into the synthesis of new cathode materials. This study aims to advance a circular economy for critical materials by improving the efficiency and sustainability of battery recycling.