Battery waste-derived functional materials for the capture and removal of harmful gases

The persistent use of primary alkaline batteries in electronic gadgets and lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles is creating a large volume of battery waste. Proper management and processing are necessary to prevent the dumping of used batteries in landfills. Valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and zinc can be extracted and purified from spent batteries. Alternatively, they can be used in synthesising functional materials. This review explores a promising solution for battery waste management by repurposing it to create materials capable of removing harmful gases. Reusing battery components such as electrodes, electrolytes, and polymer separators leads to the development of innovative strategies for creating adsorbents and catalysts. These materials are capable of efficiently capturing or catalysing harmful gases into harmless gases or ions. The review outlines various methods for converting battery waste into valuable materials, structural modifications, performance evaluations, and underlying mechanisms responsible for the removal of harmful gases. This review highlights the potential of battery waste as a sustainable resource for addressing rising air pollution and promoting a circular economy.