METHOD FOR REMOVING SURFACE IMPURITIES FROM SPENT CATHODE ACTIVE MATERIALS

Abstract

A method is provided for recycling a cathode active material. The method includes reacting spent cathode active material particles with an alkaline solution to form a reaction mixture containing a metal fluoride and solid cathode active material particles, and filtering the reaction mixture to remove the metal fluoride and separate the solid cathode active material particles from the reaction mixture. The method further includes mixing the solid cathode active material particles with a solid lithium material to form relithiated cathode active material particles, and heating the relithiated cathode active material particles to form the cathode active material. The alkaline solution comprises water and at least one hydroxide selected from the group consisting of: sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The spent cathode active material particles comprise fluorine and lithium.

CPC Classifications