The Necessity of Recycling of Waste Li-Ion Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles as Objects Posing a Threat to Human Health and the Environment

Selective Precipitation of REE-Rich Aluminum Phosphate with Low Lithium Losses from Lithium Enriched Slag Leachate

Currently, recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries is carried out using mechanical, pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods and their combination. The aim of this article is to study a part of the pyro-hydrometallurgical processing of spent lithium-ion batteries which includes lithium slag hydrometallurgical treatment and refining of the obtained leachate. Leaching was realized via dry digestion, which is an effective method capable of transferring over 99% of the present metals, such as Li, Al, Co, Cu, and others, to the leachate. In this work, the influence of three types of precipitation agents (NaOH, NH4OH, Na3PO4) on the precipitation efficiency of Al and Li losses was investigated. It was found that the precipitation of aluminum with NaOH can result in the co-precipitation of lithium, causing total lithium losses up to 40%. As a suitable precipitating agent for complete Al removal from Li leachate with a minimal loss of lithium (less than 2%), crystalline Na3PO4 was determined under the following conditions: pH = 3, 400 rpm, 10 min, room temperature. Analysis confirmed that, in addition to aluminum, the precipitate also contains the REEs La (3.4%), Ce (2.5%), Y (1.3%), Nd (1%), and Pr (0.3%). The selective recovery of these elements will be the subject of further study.

Life cycle assessment of a LiFePO4 cylindrical battery

Reduction of the environmental impact, energy efficiency and optimization of material resources are basic aspects in the design and sizing of a battery. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the environmental impact associated with the life cycle of a 7.47 Wh 18,650 cylindrical single-cell LiFePO4 battery. Life cycle assessment (LCA), the SimaPro 9.1 software package, the Ecoinvent 3.5 database and the ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment method were used for this purpose. Environmental impacts were modelled and quantified using the dual midpoint-endpoint approach and the "cradle-to-gate" model. The results showed the electrodes to be the battery components with the highest environmental impact (41.36% of the total), with the negative electrode being the most unfavourable (29.8 mPt). The ageing, calibration and testing process (53.97 mPt) accounts for 97.21% of the total impact associated with the production process's consumption of energy, and 41.20% of the total impact associated with the battery. This new knowledge will allow a more detailed view of the environmental impact of cylindrical cell LiFePO4 batteries, favouring the identification of critical points to enhance their sustainable production.

A Future Perspective on Waste Management of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles in Lao PDR: Current Status and Challenges

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a hot topic worldwide because they are not only the best alternative for energy storage systems but also have the potential for developing electric vehicles (EVs) that support greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and pollution prevention in the transport sector. However, the recent increase in EVs has brought about a rise in demand for LIBs, resulting in a substantial number of used LIBs. The end-of-life (EoL) of batteries is related to issues including, for example, direct disposal of toxic pollutants into the air, water, and soil, which threatens organisms in nature and human health. Currently, there is various research on spent LIB recycling and disposal, but there are no international or united standards for LIB waste management. Most countries have used a single or combination methodology of practices; for instance, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, direct recycling, full or partial combined recycling, and lastly, landfilling for unnecessary waste. However, EoL LIB recycling is not always easy for developing countries due to multiple limitations, which have been problems and challenges from the beginning and may reach into the future. Laos is one such country that might face those challenges and issues in the future due to the increasing trend of EVs. Therefore, this paper intends to provide a future perspective on EoL LIB management from EVs in Laos PDR, and to point out the best approaches for management mechanisms and sustainability without affecting the environment and human health. Significantly, this review compares the current EV LIB management between Laos, neighboring countries, and some developed countries, thereby suggesting appropriate solutions for the future sustainability of spent LIB management in the nation. The Laos government and domestic stakeholders should focus urgently on specific policies and regulations by including the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme in enforcement.

Life-Related Hazards of Materials Applied to Mg–S Batteries

Nowadays, rechargeable batteries utilizing an S cathode together with an Mg anode are under substantial interest and development. The review is made from the point of view of materials engaged during the development of the Mg–S batteries, their sulfur cathodes, magnesium anodes, electrolyte systems, current collectors, and separators. Simultaneously, various hazards related to the use of such materials are discussed. It was found that the most numerous groups of hazards are posed by the material groups of cathodes and electrolytes. Such hazards vary widely in type and degree of danger and are related to human bodies, aquatic life, flammability of materials, or the release of flammable or toxic gases by the latter.

The Second Generation Electromobility in Polish Urban Public Transport: The Factors and Mechanisms of Spatial Development

One of the key challenges on the road to sustainable mobility is the development of low/zero emission urban public transport (UPT). This is crucial in order to meet environmental requirements aiming at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. In some countries (e.g., Poland) reduction of air pollution is also an important reason behind the implementation of low/zero emission UPT. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors and mechanisms influencing the development of modern electromobility in Polish UPT. We have examined all 242 UPT systems in the country in terms of the characteristics of the relevant urban municipalities, such as size, economic prosperity, level of human and social capital, development paths of urban public transport in the long term as well as the institutional context and proximity and connections to other cities with experience in electromobility. Classification and statistical methods are used based on a variety of approaches, as assigning a score to various preliminarily identified indicators or applying correlation between quantities to verify the formulated hypotheses. Our analysis demonstrates that electromobility adoption is the result of a combination of favourable economic, urban, social and technological characteristic features of a given city. Zero or low emission buses are more common in large cities which are highly positioned in urban hierarchy, economically sound and which are characterized by a well-developed tertiary economy as well as by high human capital. An additional factor that positively influences the implementation of electromobility—in particular at the very first stage—is proximity to the location of low emission bus producers. The leadership in modern electromobility can be understood as part of a broader, proactive development policy of the cities aimed at improving the quality of life of their residents. This is especially important in medium-sized towns where utilizing electric vehicles can be an instrument to maintain or even develop their role and status. The results of the article may provide a basis for creating sustainable urban policies, especially sustainable mobility and improving environmental quality.