A Review of the Use of Chemical Stabilisation Methods for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

The increasing amounts of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (EOL LIBs) require novel and safe solutions allowing for the minimisation of health and environmental hazards. Arguably, the best approach to the problem of EOL LIBs is recycling and recovery of the metals contained within the cells. This allows the diversion of the EOL battery cells from the environment and the recovery of precious metals that can be reused in the manufacturing of new products, allowing the reduction of the requirements of virgin materials from the mining industry. The most significant hindrance to the recycling process of EOL LIBs is their unstable chemical nature and significant safety hazards related to opening the air-tight casings. To minimise these issues, the end-of-life cells must be stabilised in one of the few available ways. This review aims at a comprehensive presentation of the studied chemical methods of EOL LIB cell discharge and stabilisation. The advantages and disadvantages of the method and its variations are discussed based on the literature published to date. The literature review found that a significant number of authors make use of chemical stabilisation techniques without proper comprehension of the associated risks. Many authors focus solely on the cheapest and fastest way to stop a cell from producing an electrical charge without extra thought given to the downstream recycling processes of safety hazards related to the proposed stabilisation method. Only a few studies highlighted the risks and problems associated with chemical stabilisation techniques.