Ferrofluid-Assisted Magnetic Separation of Lithium Manganese Oxide as a Step Toward Sustainable Battery Recycling
POSTER
Abstract
The rising global demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) motivates development of sustainable recycling strategies. We investigate a magnetically assisted liquid-phase method for recovering Lithium Manganese Oxide (LMO) using an oil-based ferrofluid. The research experiment employs a three-component simulant (LMO + non-magnetic battery material + ferrofluid) to mimic spent-battery feedstock and isolate physical separation behavior. By varying ferrofluid concentration and applied magnetic field strength, recovered material is assessed by mass yield, crystallographic integrity (XRD), and elemental composition (Li:Mn) to quantify process efficacy and material quality.
This ongoing study will provide insights into a potential energy-efficient, and low-carbon alternative to conventional hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical recycling approaches, and lay a foundation for sustainable material recovery in future circular battery technologies.
This ongoing study will provide insights into a potential energy-efficient, and low-carbon alternative to conventional hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical recycling approaches, and lay a foundation for sustainable material recovery in future circular battery technologies.
*This research project is being conducted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master of Science degree program at the Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota Duluth. The author gratefully acknowledges the Summer Research Grant from the above-mentioned Department, which supported this project during the summer break and enabled its continuation. She also thanks her research supervisor, Professor Jing Bai (Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering), for her guidance and funding support in providing materials used in this study.
Presenters
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Hannah I Tanimowo
- University of Minnesota Duluth