The electric vehicle (EV) market is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the use of green energy. Nevertheless, this technological advance also leads to an increase in battery waste generation. This work presents a suitable solution to improve recycling techniques. A coupled method involving mechanical activation and acid leaching was evaluated to process a sample of black mass (chemistry nickel-manganese-cobalt, NMC 111). This study analyzed the effect of milling time, leaching agent concentration, and temperature. Around 98% of lithium and ≥ 80% of cobalt, manganese, and nickel were extracted using 1000 rpm and 60 min of milling time, 2 M H₂SO₄, 60 ºC, and 120 min. The experimental conditions also influenced the extraction of copper and aluminum traces; however, they did not affect the dissolution of valuable metals, especially lithium.

Nowadays, spent batteries are considered a secondary and potential resource to meet the growing demand for lithium, a critical element widely used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. Therefore, this work presents a hydrometallurgical method for extracting lithium from Nickel–Manganese–Cobalt (NMC) batteries. Citric (${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_7$) and oxalic (${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_4$) acids were used as leaching agents, both of which are cataloged as environmentally friendly organic compounds. To comprehend the chemical interactions between citrate ($\mathrm{c}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{t}$), oxalate ($\mathrm{o}\mathrm{x}$) and metallic ions, a thermodynamic analysis is presented. According to this analysis, both ions were effective in dissolving lithium; however, the experimental studies demonstrated that oxalate ensured a selective process and achieved complete lithium dissolution under the experimental conditions 1 M C₂H₂O₄, 50 g/L, 60 °C, and 60 min, with a mechanically treated sample (milling time 8 min at 1000 rpm). In this process, the other metals present in the sample, such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, formed insoluble species with oxalate, allowing their recovery in subsequent stages. Therefore, this investigation provides a proficient methodology for battery recycling, emphasizing sustainable practices.

Delamination techniques for LFP CAM were tested and compared in terms of material impact and energy and cost efficiency. Solvent washing was employed to remove electrolyte and Cu impurities from spent LFP cathodes.