Recovery of Materials for Batteries

Dear Colleagues,

Batteries are an indispensable part of the daily life, and various battery chemistries are used for different applications, such as primary batteries in daily electronic gadgets and remote controls, hearing aids, and other medical applications. Secondary (rechargeable) batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, etc., supply the required energy needed for either portable electronic equipment and hybrid and electrical vehicles (HEVs/EVs). Future market analyses estimate that the demand for different battery chemistries will continue increasing.

The amount of battery waste gives rise to concerns about, not only environmental issues, but also their economic value. Considering the critical industrial elements that batteries contain, recycling of battery waste is an attractive field, for both the scientific society and industry. However, obstacles in battery recycling start at the first step, when the consumer decides to get rid of a used battery. Collection of spent household batteries is still a problematic issue, as is waste battery policies for HEVs and EVs, as these are not clear for the design of a sustainable recycling strategy. Thus, waste management of spent batteries, which covers their collection, classification, recycling, and landfilling, is a critical issue for the sustainable use of these materials. Alternative processes with high recovery efficiencies, low environmental impacts and low carbon footprints should be developed to reclaim the metals and organics from battery waste and create a circular economy and material flow for battery technologies. Therefore, this Special Issue pays particular attention to the waste management of spent batteries and the development of battery-recycling technologies.

Potential Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Waste management of spent batteries
• Secondary life assessments for rechargeable batteries
• Battery collection and policies
• Recycling of spent Li-ion batteries
• Recycling of spent NiMH and NiCd batteries
• Recycling of alkaline and Zn-C battery waste
• Battery waste as a secondary source
• Life cycle assessment
• Mechanical treatment of the battery waste
• Hydrometallurgy for battery recycling
• Pyrometallurgy for battery recycling

Dr. Burcak Ebin
Assist. Prof. Martina Petranikova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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