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Waste plastics upcycled for high-efficiency H2O2 production and lithium recovery via Ni-Co/carbon nanotubes composites
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Researchers demonstrated a synergistic co-pyrolysis approach that simultaneously recycles waste lithium-ion batteries and low-density polyethylene plastics in a single reactor, separating lithium from transition metals while producing NiCo alloy@carbon nanotube composites. These composites show excellent catalytic activity (~90% selectivity) for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide production, offering a green pathway for upcycling two major waste streams.
The disposal and management of waste lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics pose significant environmental challenges. Here we show a synergistic pyrolysis approach that employs spent lithium transition metal oxides and waste LDPE plastics in one sealed reactor to achieve the separation of Li and transition metal. Additionally, we demonstrate the preparation of nanoscale NiCo alloy@carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through co-pyrolysis of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 and LDPE. The NiCo alloy@CNTs exhibits excellent catalytic activity (Eonset = ~0.85 V) and the selectivity (~90%) for H2O2 production through the electrochemical reduction of oxygen. This can be attributed to the NiCo nanoalloy core and the presence of CNTs with abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., -COOH and C-O-C), as confirmed by density function theory calculations. Overall, this work presents a straightforward and green approach for valorizing and upcycling various waste LIBs and LDPE plastics.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.