Re-synthesis and Electrochemical Characteristics of LiFePO₄Cathode Materials Recycled from Scrap Electrodes

This paper describes an environmentally friendly process for the recovery of <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode materials from scrap electrodes by a simple thermal treatment method. The active materials were easily separated from the aluminum substrate foil and polymeric binders were also decomposed at different temperatures (<TEX>400∘C</TEX>, <TEX>500∘C</TEX>, <TEX>600∘C</TEX>) for 30 min under nitrogen gas flow. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The electrochemical properties of the recycled <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode were evaluated by galvanostatic charge and discharge modes. The specific charge/discharge capacities of the recycled <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode were similar to those of the original <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode. The <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode material recovered at <TEX>500∘C</TEX> exhibits a somewhat higher capacity than those of other recovered materials at high current rates. The recycled <TEX>LiFePO₄</TEX> cathode also showed a good cycling performance.