| 초록 |
Together with the huge emergence of the electric vehicle industry, the demand for Li-ion batteries is skyrocketing. Among materials in Li-ion batteries, the most expensive part is a cathode because Li, Ni, and Co are limited elements on Earth. Therefore, to meet the demand for Li-ion batteries, it is necessary to recover metals in spent Li-ion batteries. Here, contrary to the hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, which are environmentally unsustainable techniques, for the recovery of metals, we show that bioleaching of cathodes in spent Li-ion batteries is a feasible scenario for a sustainable recovery of metals. In addition, we explore the transformation of cathode materials in morphology and molecular structure through bioleaching. Understanding the fate and transformation of cathodes in spend Li-ion batteries will provide a new approach to develop bio-leaching techniques more cost-effective and environmentally benign. |
