Lou Xiangxi, Yan Penglei, Jiao Binglei, Li Qingye, Xu Panpan, Wang Lei, Zhang Liang, Cao Muhan, Wang Guiling, Chen Zheng, Zhang Qiao, Chen Jinxing
Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials & Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, 150001, heilongjiang, China.
Nat Commun. 2024 Mar 28;15(1):2730. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-47024-x.
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and plastics are pivotal components of modern society; nevertheless, their escalating production poses formidable challenges to resource sustainability and ecosystem integrity. Here, we showcase the transformation of spent lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes into photothermal catalysts capable of catalyzing the upcycling of diverse waste polyesters into high-value monomers. The distinctive Li deficiency in spent LCO induces a contraction in the Co-O unit cell, boosting the monomer yield exceeding that of pristine LCO by a factor of 10.24. A comprehensive life-cycle assessment underscores the economic viability of utilizing spent LCO as a photothermal catalyst, yielding returns of 129.6 $·kg, surpassing traditional battery recycling returns (13-17 $·kg). Solar-driven recycling 100,000 tons of PET can reduce 3.459 × 10 kJ of electric energy and decrease 38,716 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. This work unveils a sustainable solution for the management of spent LIBs and plastics.
锂离子电池（LIBs）和塑料是现代社会的关键组成部分；然而，它们产量的不断增加对资源可持续性和生态系统完整性构成了巨大挑战。在此，我们展示了将废旧锂钴氧化物（LCO）阴极转化为光热催化剂的过程，这种催化剂能够催化各种废聚酯向上循环转化为高价值单体。废旧LCO中独特的锂缺乏导致Co-O晶胞收缩，使单体产率比原始LCO提高了10.24倍。全面的生命周期评估强调了将废旧LCO用作光热催化剂的经济可行性，产生的回报为129.6美元·千克，超过了传统电池回收回报（13 - 17美元·千克）。太阳能驱动回收100,000吨聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（PET）可减少3.459×10⁹千焦的电能，并减少38,716吨温室气体排放。这项工作揭示了一种管理废旧LIBs和塑料的可持续解决方案。
