Recycling and Second Life Applications of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Dear Colleagues,

Batteries are essential for addressing the global challenges of climate change, as they support the transition to cleaner energy and sustainable mobility. However, the growing demand for batteries, coupled with finite reserves of raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, poses significant challenges. It is estimated that by 2050 the demand for lithium and cobalt will increase by 506% and 460%, respectively.

At the same time, the increasing use of batteries is generating substantial waste, which requires efficient and sustainable recycling solutions. Current recycling methods are often energy-intensive and resource-demanding, emphasizing the need for innovative technologies to recover strategic metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) while minimizing environmental impacts.

This Special Issue seeks original research and comprehensive reviews on innovative and sustainable recycling technologies for spent LIBs. Contributions addressing advanced methods for material recovery, process optimization, and the integration of recycling into a circular economy framework are particularly encouraged, with the goal of overcoming resource limitations and meeting the growing demand for these critical materials.

Dr. Alessandra Zanoletti
Guest Editor

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