Separation of anode from cathode material from End of Life Li-ion batteries (LIBs)

With the increasing usage of electronics powered by lithium ion batteries, it is more and more importantto improve the recycling process. The current study is focused on reducing graphite content of disposedlithium batteries to aid the further treatment of the batteries. In larger picture, an increase of efficiencyleads to a less cost and less loss of material in recycling process. The approach used is to reduce graphitecontent by the agglomerated flotation, using the natural hydrophobicity of graphite. This approach candecrease the percentage of this mineral in the further recycling process of LIBs where the actual focus arethe valuable metals as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. The results and conditions of flotation arecompared in cases where flotation feed material is the bulk material or thermally treated one