OREANDA-NEWS  St. Petersburg State University scientists have created a quick and easy way to process graphite anodes from batteries and accumulators. According to the authors of the study, their technology can be easily integrated into existing chains for the disposal of lithium-ion batteries. This will significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing equipment and reduce the harmful effects on nature. The results of the study are published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.

According to chemists of St. Petersburg State University (St. Petersburg State University), lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronics (phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, video cameras, electric vehicles, electric buses, and so on).

Recycling of obsolete batteries is of great importance for the environment and the economy. It allows reducing emissions of harmful substances into the environment, extracting and reusing valuable metals, cathode and anode materials in industry. One of the important parts of lithium-ion batteries and accumulators are graphite anodes. The complexity of processing graphite from them is that it is technically impossible to obtain graphite by traditional methods of battery utilization (pyro- and hydrometallurgy) (it burns during the process), and graphite is obtained by direct processing methods, on the surface of which an unstable and inhomogeneous solid electrolyte layer forms in the battery during operation.