Composition for recovering battery materials or disabling battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery and, more specifically, to a composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, the composition being used when recovering, through chemical discharge, main materials in a used battery. The composition for extracting lithium in an anode of a battery contains a lithium-extraction solution (LeS), and the LeS contains an antisolvent that has a low solubility for a lithium compound so as to crystallize a lithium ion in a solution into a lithium compound.

Description

Composition for recovery of battery materials or disabling batteries

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for recovering battery materials or disabling batteries, and more particularly, to a LeS composition for recovering battery materials or a composition for disabling batteries used in a method for recovering major materials in a battery through chemical discharge.

[0002] The electric vehicle (EV) industry is rapidly developing in line with global greenhouse gas reduction policies, and the use of energy storage systems (ESS) linked to renewable energy sources is increasing significantly, leading to a significant increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Typically, LIBs are disposed of after approximately 10 years of use, as their capacity diminishes. Furthermore, the generation of spent lithium-ion batteries, either used or defective batteries produced during the battery production process, is expected to surge in the future.

[0003] Accordingly, interest in the treatment and recycling of used batteries has increased, and various studies have been conducted on technologies for reusing used batteries and extracting or recovering lithium. Existing recycling processes for used batteries can be broadly categorized into dry and wet methods. Dry methods involve placing all used batteries in an electric furnace without a separate crushing or sorting process. This process melts and separates valuable metals such as cobalt and nickel, while other metals containing lithium are discharged as slag. In this high-temperature dry process, lithium is either lost through volatilization or remains in the slag. Recovering this lithium is difficult and requires high processing costs.

[0004] In the wet process, the cathode material from used batteries is crushed and sorted, then the lithium is extracted into a solution. The valuable metal is then separated from the solution through solvent extraction. The lithium is then manufactured into a metal or compound through processes such as electrowinning or crystallization. However, the wet process is complex and expensive, and the use of hazardous compounds, such as acids or alkaline solutions, to extract the lithium can cause environmental problems.

[0005] Meanwhile, a technology for recovering valuable metals from spent batteries without using hazardous compounds such as acid solutions has been devised (Patent Document 0001), and specifically, a step of heat-treating an electrode recovered from a spent lithium-ion battery at 180 to 450 degrees to melt and remove the binder, and then obtaining the separated electrode active material, and recovering the valuable metals through an electrolytic method (capacitive de-ionization (CDI) method) in an aqueous solution condition. However, in order to recover the electrode active material from the spent battery, a separate heat treatment process is required to melt and remove the binder of the spent battery, which incurs additional costs, and there is a problem that valuable metals including lithium contained in the cathode active material may be lost due to the high-temperature heat treatment.

[0006] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2403455

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a composition used in a battery material recovery process or a battery disablement process for recovering major materials from a battery with high efficiency, fast process, and low cost.

[0008] The purposes of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood from the description below.

[0009] A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention is a composition used in a process for inducing chemical discharge of a battery,

[0010] The above composition comprises LeS (Lithium-extraction Solution).

[0011] The composition may extract lithium from the negative electrode of the battery.

[0012] The composition may control the degree to which lithium in the negative electrode of the battery reacts with the outside when the inside of the battery is open.

[0013] The chemical discharge can supply the composition into the interior of the battery to induce a reaction between lithium in the negative electrode and the solution.

[0014] The above LeS may include an anti-solvent that has low solubility in lithium compounds and crystallizes lithium ions in the solution into lithium compounds.

[0015] The above antisolvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of alcohol (R-OH) series solvents, ketone (R-CO-R') series solvents, ester series (R-COO-R') solvents, carboxylic acid (R-COOH) series solvents, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), Ethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentane, and Heptane.

[0016] The above alcohol series solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Methanol, Ethanol, 1-Propanol, 2-Propanol (Isopropyl alcohol) (IPA), Sec-Butanol, Iso-Butanol, Tert-Butanol, and Pentanol.

[0017] The above ketone series solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Acetone and Methyl Ethyl Ketone, and the above ester series solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Methyl acetate, Ethyl acetate, and Methyl propionate.

[0018] The above ester series solvent may include at least one selected from the group consisting of Methyl acetate, Ethyl acetate, and Methyl propionate.

[0019] The above LeS may further contain water.

[0020] The volume ratio of water and antisolvent included in the above LeS may be 9:1 to 1:9.

[0021] The above battery may be a charged battery.

[0022] The present invention has the effect of recovering the main materials of a battery at low cost and high efficiency using a composition for recovering battery materials and recycling them as raw materials for batteries.

[0023] In addition, the present invention has the effect of recovering lithium (Li) from a battery with low energy consumption and in an environmentally friendly manner by using a composition for recovering battery materials.

[0024] In addition, the present invention has the effect of controlling the degree to which lithium in the negative electrode reacts with the outside by using a composition for recovering battery materials.

[0025]

[0026] *In addition, the present invention has the effect of safely disabling a battery by using a composition for disabling a battery.

[0027] The technical effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a process for recovering battery materials using a composition for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating chemical discharge of a battery during solution immersion in a method for recovering battery materials using a composition for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process using a composition for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 is a process diagram simply illustrating a process of disabling a battery according to one specific example of the present invention.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail to facilitate easy implementation by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, like reference numbers represent like elements throughout the specification.

[0033]

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates a process flow diagram of a method for recovering battery materials using a composition for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention. A method for disabling a battery using a composition for disabling a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention can also be performed using the above process.

[0035] A composition for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention is a composition for recovering battery materials through a process of inducing chemical discharge of a battery.

[0036] A composition for disabling a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition for safely disabling a battery through a process of inducing chemical discharge of the battery.

[0037] Hereinafter, a composition for recovering battery materials according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described, but it is obvious that the described content can also be applied to a composition for disabling batteries. Referring to FIG. 1, a method for recovering battery materials using a composition for recovering battery materials according to an embodiment of the present invention can extract lithium from the negative electrode of a battery using the composition,

[0038] More specifically, it may include 1) a step of charging a battery (S100); 2) a step of inducing chemical discharge by disassembling an outer pouch of the charged battery within the composition of the present invention (S200); 3) a step of separating a negative electrode substrate and a separator from the composition of the present invention after the chemical discharge is completed (S300); 4) a step of recovering a battery material from the composition of the present invention (S400).

[0039]

[0040] Step S100 is intended to charge the battery, thereby moving lithium ions present in the positive electrode to the negative electrode, thereby inducing a reaction in which the thermodynamically unstable charged negative electrode reacts with the composition of the present invention to extract lithium ions. However, such charging is not essential. Through this, the structure of the positive electrode can be weakened as the lithium ions present in the positive electrode are removed. Therefore, in the composition of the present invention, the battery subject to battery material recovery or battery disablement may be a charged battery.

[0041] The charging may be performed within the composition of the present invention or may be pre-charged outside the composition of the present invention. However, step S100 is not essential, and battery materials can be recovered through steps S200 to S400 described below without a separate charging step for defective battery cells, etc., whose charge amount is unknown.

[0042] In step S100, the charging may be performed when the SOC (State of Charge) is 0 or more, 10 or more, 20 or more, 30 or more, 40 or more, 50 or more, 60 or more, 70 or more, 80 or more, 90 or more, or in an overcharge state, and at this time, the charging speed may be C-rate 3 or less.

[0043] In step S100, the battery may be configured such that the negative electrode is composed of graphite (C6) as a negative electrode material and copper foil (Cu foil) as a negative electrode substrate, and the positive electrode is configured such that the positive electrode is composed of a lithium transition metal oxide as a positive electrode material and aluminum foil (Al foil) as a positive electrode substrate.

[0044] In step S100, the charged negative electrode of the battery may be LiC6.

[0045] Step S100 may be to charge the battery by immersing it in the composition of the present invention for safety. The composition of the present invention is intended to prevent fire that may occur from the battery by blocking oxygen and heat.

[0046]

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a chemical discharge of step S200. Referring to FIG. 2, step S200 may be to induce chemical discharge in a state where the charged battery is immersed in the composition of the present invention, and the chemical discharge may be to open the external pouch of the battery and supply the composition of the present invention into the interior of the battery, and more specifically, the composition of the present invention may be to flow into the interior of the battery and react with the charged negative electrode. The composition of the present invention reacts when it comes into contact with the thermodynamically unstable charged negative electrode to induce chemical discharge in which lithium is released. The reaction time of the chemical discharge may be 1 minute to 24 hours depending on the extent of opening or disassembling the external pouch.

[0048] In step S200, the composition of the present invention may react with the charged negative electrode, LiC6, to dissolve or extract lithium into the composition of the present invention. For this purpose, the composition of the present invention may include LeS (Lithium-extraction Solution).

[0049] The composition of the present invention may be supplied into the charged battery so that lithium in the negative electrode is dissolved or extracted in the composition of the present invention in the form of lithium ions and exists as lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, or a lithium compound solution. The lithium in the negative electrode may be lithium (or lithium ion) existing in the negative electrode layered structure or lithium (or lithium ion) forming the negative electrode SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interphase) layer and dendrite. More specifically, the composition of the present invention may be supplied into the charged battery so that the negative electrode material is peeled off from the negative electrode current collector (e.g., Cu foil), which is the negative electrode substrate, due to an exothermic reaction between the lithium (or lithium ion) in the negative electrode and the composition of the present invention, or a change in the pH of the composition.

[0050] The composition for recovering battery materials of the present invention may include an anti-solvent that has low solubility in lithium compounds (lithium hydroxide anhydrate, lithium hydroxide monohydrate, lithium carbonate, etc.) and crystallizes lithium ions in the solution into lithium compounds.

[0051] In addition, the composition for recovering battery materials of the present invention may include water as a solvent that reacts with the charged negative electrode material to release lithium ions into the solution.

[0052] Pure water has a high solubility in Li, so that high concentrations of lithium can be accumulated during solution recycling or multiple cell processing. This can increase the loss of Li as Li is inserted into the lattice of the cathode material. However, when LeS is applied as a chemical discharge solution as in the present invention, Li ions can easily precipitate in the form of lithium compounds including LiOH, LiOH H2O, LiF, Li3PO4, Li2O, C2H5Oli, LiHCO3, or Li2CO3, thereby reducing the Li concentration in the solution. Therefore, in the case of the present invention, Li insertion into the cathode material can be suppressed, and thus the lithium recovery rate can ultimately be increased.

[0053] In addition, pure water has a high solubility in Li, so when a high-concentration Li aqueous solution is created, the resulting high pH (for example, pH 14 or higher in the case of a 4M LiOH aqueous solution) corrodes metals (Al, Cu, etc.) in the aqueous solution in a short period of time, which reduces the purity of the entire recovered material (positive electrode material, negative electrode material, current collector, etc.) containing the lithium compound, or there is a problem that an additional process for removing impurities from the recovered lithium compound is required.

[0054] However, when LeS is applied as a chemical discharge solution as in the present invention, the Li ions are precipitated in the form of a lithium compound containing LiOH, thereby reducing the -OH ions in the solution and lowering the final pH, thereby suppressing metal corrosion and reducing impurities, thereby increasing the purity of the overall recovered material.

[0055] In addition, it can be advantageous for commercialization by resolving operational difficulties and worker safety issues due to high pH and violent reactions when processing a large number of cells.

[0056] According to one specific example of the present invention, as an antisolvent included in the composition for recovering battery materials of the present invention, an alcohol (R-OH) series solvent, a ketone (R-CO-R') series solvent, an ester series (R-COO-R') solvent, a carboxylic acid (R-COOH) series solvent, or a solvent such as N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), Ethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentane, and Heptane may be used alone or in combination. Specifically, as the alcohol series solvent, Methanol, Ethanol, 1-Propanol, 2-Propanol (Isopropyl alcohol) (IPA), Sec-Butanol, Iso-Butanol, Tert-Butanol, Pentanol, etc. may be used, and as the ketone series solvent, Acetone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, etc. may be used. As the ester series solvent, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl propionate, etc. can be used, and as the carboxylic acid series solvent, butyric acid, etc. can be used. The antisolvent is included in LeS and can precipitate lithium as a salt.

[0057] According to one specific example of the present invention, the volume ratio of water and antisolvent contained in the LeS is 9:1 to 1:9. By adjusting the volume ratio of water and antisolvent within the above-described range, lithium can be suppressed from being inserted into the lattice of the positive electrode material, and lithium can be precipitated as a salt, thereby increasing the lithium recovery rate. At this time, if the ratio of the antisolvent contained in the LeS is lower than that of water, so that the amount of lithium dissolved and leached in the LeS is low, lithium can be additionally recovered using a method capable of extracting lithium dissolved in a solution, such as LeS evaporation, antisolvent precipitation, and other chemical methods, thereby increasing the total lithium recovery rate.

[0058] Additionally, when using a composition for disabling a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, disabling of a used battery may be possible through opening the pouch in step S200. In this case, disabling of a used battery may refer to a process of eliminating or weakening the electrical or chemical activity of the battery during the battery disposal process.

[0059] Specifically, step S200 facilitates not only the recovery of used battery materials but also the separation and removal of internal residue by opening the external pouch. Thus, step S200 enables the safe and effective disposal of internal residue.

[0060]

[0061] Step S300 may be to separate the composition of the present invention, the copper foil, and the separator after completing the chemical discharge.

[0062]

[0063] Step S400 may be to recover battery materials from the composition of the present invention. More specifically, for safety, the battery materials are separated within 1 minute to 24 hours after the end of chemical discharge. The recovered battery materials may be any one of graphite, lithium (Li), and cathode materials. More specifically, the composition may be subjected to vacuum filtration to primarily recover graphite, and then the composition may be dried to secondary recover lithium (Li). At this time, an insoluble solvent may be added to the composition.

[0064] The recovered lithium (Li) in step S400 may be in the form of a lithium compound, and the lithium compound may be Li2CO3 or LiOH.

[0065] When the lithium compound is Li2CO3, the lithium may be dried and recovered by adding carbon dioxide gas and a carbonate precipitant to the composition. The carbon dioxide gas may be CO or CO2, and the carbonate precipitant may be at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), barium carbonate (BaCO3), and dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2). Alternatively, the lithium may be recovered by adding an insoluble solvent to the composition to precipitate the lithium, filtering and separating the lithium. The insoluble solvent may be, for example, an alcohol series such as isopropyl alcohol, which has a relatively low solubility in Li2CO3 compared to other solvents. It may be preferable to mix the above solution and the above insoluble solvent so that the volume ratio is 1:1 to 1:9, and the precipitated Li2CO3 can be filtered (Ex: using a Buchner funnel) and then dried to recover lithium in the form of Li2CO3.

[0066] In addition, in order to specifically dry and recover the lithium in the form of LiOH, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), which has a relatively low solubility in LiOH compared to other solvents, may be used. At this time, the solution and the alcohol-containing solvent may be mixed in a volume ratio of 1:1 to 1:9. Thereafter, the precipitated LiOH slurry may be filtered (e.g., using a Buchner funnel) and dried to recover lithium in the form of LiOH. At this time, in order to prevent CO2 in the atmosphere and LiOH from reacting to form Li2CO3, the precipitation, filtering, and separation processes may be performed in an inert gas atmosphere or vacuum. The inert gas may be argon (Ar) or nitrogen (N2).

[0067]

[0068] In addition, the positive electrode material recovered from the solution in step S400 may be a positive electrode material and a positive electrode substrate. As an example, the positive electrode material may be a lithium transition metal oxide, and the lithium transition metal oxide may be selected from the group consisting of LiCoO2, LiNiO2, Li[Ni,Co,Mn]O2, Li[Ni,Co,Al]O2, LiMn2O4, and LiFePO4. The positive electrode substrate may be an aluminum foil (Al foil).

[0069]

[0070] A method for recovering battery materials according to one embodiment of the present invention may consume minimal energy in recovering lithium. As an example, assuming the conditions in Table 1 below, it may consume 1.7 kWh of energy per 1 kg of recovered lithium.

[0071] Calculated value of the breakdown: Lithium content in a 1 Ah battery 0.52 g Number of moles of lithium that can be recovered 0.52 g / 6.941 gmol -1(Lithium molecular weight) * 0.7 (30% remaining in the positive electrode) = 0.052 mol Converted mass of recoverable lithium compound (Li2CO3) 0.052 mol / 2 x 73.891 g / mol (Li2CO3 molecular weight) = 1.75 g Lithium recovery energy consumption 4.8 Wh / 1.75 g = 2.7 kWh / kg

[0072]

[0073] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through examples.

[0074] Example 1. Application of 1 Ah used battery

[0075] LeS was prepared by mixing isopropyl alcohol (anti-solvent): H2O (solvent) = 3:1 by volume ratio and stirring at 300 rpm for 30 minutes. After immersing a 1Ah cell with 100% SOC in the LeS, the outer case was disassembled, and LiC6 and LeS reacted to precipitate in the form of a Li compound and settled. Therefore, during the separation process, the precipitate mixed with LeS, Li compound, and graphite was recovered through vacuum filtration, and the precipitate was immersed in water to dissolve the Li compound, and then separated from the graphite through vacuum filtration. The Li aqueous solution was mixed with isopropyl alcohol in a volume ratio of 1:7, and the settled Li precipitate was filtered using a Buchner funnel, and then dried in the air to recover Li powder (Li2CO3) (see "Drying" in Fig. 14).

[0076] The recovery rates for the main substances recovered and separated in Example 1 are summarized in Table 2 below.

[0077]

[0078] Recovered material composition Theoretical recovery amount (g) Actual recovery amount (g) Recovery rate (%) Li compound Li2CO3 1.75 1.64 209 3.9 Copper Cu (Cu foil) 1.26 1.23 3 198 Graphite C6 (graphite) 3.97 3.64 4792 Anode material Li xNiCoMnO2(0 <x<0.6)+ Aluminum foil7.807.7898100

[0079] In addition, ICP analysis was performed on the Li powder recovered in Example 1, and the ICP analysis results are summarized in Table 3 below.

[0080] mg / kgMWMW %Li18734726991.3599.8Mg13.40.5510.002Al100.3700.001Si20414.570.05P1926.1980.02Ca1383.4 40.01K1373.500.01Cu71.21.1200.04Co2.290.03880.0001Fe851.5220.005Mn3.190.0580.0002Ni000

[0081] Experimental Example 1: Application of Examples 2 to 5 to 1 Ah Spent Battery and Analysis of Recovery Rate

[0082] IPA: In addition to IPA, experiments were conducted on additional examples using Methanol, Ethanol, and Acetone under the same conditions as Example 1, where water was limited to a volume ratio of 1:1. The Cu foil and cathode were physically separated from the aqueous solution after the reaction between LiC6 and LeS was completed. After drying in a fume hood for 12 h, the mass was confirmed. As for graphite, the precipitate recovered after the first separation with LeS as in Example 1 was dissolved in water and filtered under reduced pressure to separate the Li aqueous solution and graphite. At this time, the graphite was dried in an oven for 12 h and the mass was confirmed.

[0083] The recovery rate was calculated by dividing the mass measured in this way by the mass of each originally present in the 1Ah battery.

[0084] As a result, as shown in Table 4 below, it was confirmed that even when Methanol, Ethanol, and Acetone, rather than IPA, were used as antisolvents, the recovery rate was the same or substantially the same.

[0085] Recovery MaterialCu (Copper)Cathode*GraphiteLi2CO3Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Example 2Aceton:Water = 1:11.2198977.412953.9289991.104963.18Example 3Methanol:Water = 1:11.25511007.4679963.96541001.24471.13Example 4Ethanol:Water = 1:11.26091007.4846963.94981001.296674.14Example 5IPA:Water = 1:11.25991007.4829963.95011001.521887.02

[0086] *Cathode = Ni 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O2*Li2CO3 recovery rate is based on lithium in the cathode (excluding 30% of the anode residue from the total Li2CO3 amount based on SOC100)

[0087]

[0088] Experimental Example 2: Application and Recovery Rate Analysis of 1 Ah Spent Battery in Examples 6 to 12

[0089] In addition, first, experiments were conducted on additional examples using LeS solvent at volume ratios of 1:1, 5:1, 9:1, 1:3, 1:5, and 1:9 in addition to the volume ratio of 3:1 under the same conditions as Example 1 of the present invention, which limited the volume ratio of IPA:water to 3:1.

[0090] As a result, as shown in Table 5 below, it was confirmed that the recovery rate was the same or substantially the same even when IPA:water was mixed in various ratios rather than in a 3:1 ratio.

[0091] Recovery MaterialCu (Copper)Cathode*GraphiteLi2CO3Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Example 6IPA:Water = 1:91.26071007.631983.9023980.191310.94Example 7IPA:Water = 1:51.2534997.4273953.763950.331318.94Example 8IPA:Water = 1:31.2501997.5248973.8407970.928153.07Example 9IPA:Water = 1:11.25 99 100 7.48 299 63.95 0 1 1 0 0 1.52 1 8 8 7 0 2 Example 10 IPA: Water = 3:11.23 3 198 7.78 98 100 3.64 4 7 9 2 1.64 2 9 3.8 9 Example 11 IPA: Water = 5:11.26 19 100 7.45 9 2 9 3.93 5 8 9 9 1.66 2 4 9 5 0 6 Example 12 IPA: Water = 9:11.25 1 5 9 9 7.47 1 9 6 3.8 9 6 1.67 1 9 5.5 5

[0092] *Cathode = Ni 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O2*Li2CO3 recovery rate is based on lithium in the cathode (excluding 30% of the anode residue from the total Li2CO3 amount based on SOC100)

[0093]

[0094] Experimental Example 3: Recovery rate analysis and battery disablement analysis according to Examples 13 to 16.

[0095] Example 13

[0096] The discharge of the used battery was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the used battery was charged to 60 SOC at 1C to move lithium to the cathode layer structure.

[0097] Example 14

[0098] The discharge of the used battery was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the used battery was charged to 50 SOC at 1C to move lithium to the cathode layer structure.

[0099] Example 15

[0100] The discharge of the used battery was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the used battery was charged at 1C to an SOC of 30 to move lithium to the cathode layer structure.

[0101] Example 16

[0102] The discharge of the used battery was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the used battery was discharged at 1C to SOC 00 to move lithium to the cathode layer structure.

[0103] A process for recovering battery materials from the used batteries of Examples 13 to 16 was performed, and the results are shown in Table 6 below.

[0104] Recovery MaterialCu (Copper)Cathode*GraphiteWeight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Weight[g]Recovery(%)Example 13SOC 60IPA:Water = 3:11.26111008.021003.9644100Example 14SOC 50IPA:Water = 3:11.25511008.021003.9664100Example 15SOC 30IPA:Water = 3:11.1972957.467963.9947100Example 16SOC 0IPA:Water = 3:11.1846947.6694984.0153100

[0105] As a result, we were able to confirm that battery materials could be reliably recovered and disabled. This enabled the safe disposal of used batteries without the risk of fire or explosion.

[0106] Experimental Example 4 (Battery Disabling Analysis)

[0107] Example 17

[0108] LiFePO4 as a cathode material, aluminum as a cathode substrate, graphite as a cathode material, copper as a cathode substrate, and LiPF6 as an electrolyte. A 10Ah pouch-type spent iron phosphate battery using polypropylene as a separator is prepared.

[0109] (1) The above used iron phosphate battery is charged to 1C SOC 120% for 1 hour to move lithium to the negative electrode layer structure.

[0110] (2) The used iron phosphate battery is immersed in LeS prepared by mixing isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and H20 in a volume ratio of 1:3, and the outer pouch of the used iron phosphate battery is opened to induce chemical discharge.

[0111] (3) After the above chemical discharge is completed, the polypropylene membrane, copper, aluminum, and iron phosphate are recovered from LeS.

[0112]

[0113] The process for recovering battery materials from the spent iron phosphate battery of Example 17 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 4, it can be confirmed that even when the spent iron phosphate battery is overcharged to 120% SOC, battery materials can be reliably recovered and the battery can be disabled. This allows for the safe disposal of spent iron phosphate batteries without the risk of fire or explosion.

[0114]

[0115] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composition used in a process for inducing chemical discharge of a battery, The above composition comprises LeS (Lithium-extraction Solution). A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling batteries.

2. In paragraph 1, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the composition extracts lithium from the negative electrode of the battery.

3. In paragraph 1, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the chemical discharge supplies the composition into the interior of the battery to induce a reaction between lithium in the negative electrode and the solution.

4. In paragraph 1, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the LeS has low solubility in lithium compounds and includes an anti-solvent that crystallizes lithium ions in the solution into lithium compounds.

5. In paragraph 3, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the antisolvent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of alcohol (R-OH) series solvents, ketone (R-CO-R') series solvents, ester series (R-COO-R') solvents, carboxylic acid (R-COOH) series solvents, N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), Ethylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Pentane, and Heptane.

6. In paragraph 5, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the alcohol series solvent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Methanol, Ethanol, 1-Propanol, 2-Propanol (Isopropyl alcohol) (IPA), Sec-Butanol, Iso-Butanol, Tert-Butanol, and Pentanol.

7. In paragraph 5, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the ketone series solvent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of Acetone and Methyl Ethyl Ketone.

8. In paragraph 5, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the ester-based solvent comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl propionate.

9. In paragraph 3, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the LeS further contains water.

10. In paragraph 5, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the volume ratio of water and antisolvent included in the LeS is 9:1 to 1:

9.

11. In paragraph 1, A composition for recovering battery materials or disabling a battery, characterized in that the battery is a charged battery.

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