[SMM Analysis] Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Develops Environmentally Friendly and Efficient Lithium Extraction Technology for Scrap LFP Batteries

SMM February 15 News:

The Neutron Science Division team of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced on February 10 that a research group led by Dr. Hyungseop Kim has developed an environmental protection technology capable of efficiently extracting lithium from scrap LFP batteries. The technology involves reacting the cathode material with chlorine gas at 200°C for 10 minutes, decomposing and extracting it in the form of lithium chloride. Lithium chloride can then be converted into lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide through existing commercial processes for synthesizing cathode materials for new batteries.

Unlike traditional acidic solution treatment methods, this technology does not damage the iron phosphate structure in the cathode material, causing almost no harm. It allows for the re-synthesis of LFP battery cathode materials or their use in next-generation lithium metal battery materials, thereby improving economic efficiency. Additionally, the by-products generated by this technology are in the form of more environmentally friendly brine, superior to the acidic wastewater produced by traditional methods.

To verify the effectiveness of the technology, the research team conducted neutron diffraction analysis using "Hanaro," Korea's only research nuclear reactor, confirming that the lithium extraction efficiency from LFP batteries reached 99.8%, with a purity of 98.8%. Currently, the technology has been granted a domestic patent in Korea, and the institute is seeking companies interested in technology transfer.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Cong Wang 021-51666838

Rui Ma 021-51595780

Disheng Feng 021-51666714

Ying Xu 021-51666707

Yanlin Lü 021-20707875

Yujun Liu 021-20707895

Xiaodan Yu 021-20707870

Zhicheng Zhou 021-51666711

He Zhang 021-20707850