Efficient Recovery of Lithium and Cobalt from Spent LCO Using Mechanochemical Activation and Ammoniacal Leaching

Milikhat B. Batkal A. Kamunur K. Mussapyrova L. Mukanov Y. Nadirov R.
October 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Processes
2025 #13 Issue 10

In this study, we investigate the recovery of Li and Co from spent LiCoO₂ cathodes of spent lithium batteries using a combined approach of mechanochemical activation (MA) and ammoniacal leaching. High-energy ball milling disrupts the layered structure of LiCoO₂, introduces defects, and increases surface area, which strongly improves subsequent dissolution. Leaching experiments in an ammonia–ammonium sulphate–sulphite medium were optimized by varying the solid-to-liquid ratio, sodium sulfite concentration, and temperature. Under the best conditions (90 °C, 120 min, S/L = 10 g/L, 0.5 M Na₂SO₃), nearly complete recoveries were obtained: 99.5% Li and 96.5% Co. Kinetic modeling based on the shrinking-core model confirmed that dissolution of both metals is controlled by chemical reaction, with activation energies of 45.7 kJ·mol⁻¹ for Li and 60.7 kJ·mol⁻¹ for Co. Structural and morphological analyses (XRD, SEM) supported the enhanced reactivity of the activated material. The study demonstrates that MA coupled with optimized ammoniacal leaching provides an efficient process for LiCoO₂ recycling, without using aggressive mineral acids and long treatment times.

ammoniacal leaching , cathode materials in LIBs , cobalt recycling , kinetic modeling , mechanochemical activation

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Institute of Combustion Problems, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
School of Materials Science and Green Technologies, Kazakhstan-British Technical University, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan

Institute of Combustion Problems
Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
School of Materials Science and Green Technologies

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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