| Abstract Scope |
High-value reuse of graphite recovered from spent lithium-ion batteries remains challenging because residual binders, electrolyte-derived species, and defect-rich surfaces can induce irreversible Li loss and unstable interfacial reactions. Here, we propose an eco-friendly reactivation strategy using biomass-oil-derived carbon coating to upgrade recovered graphite (r-Gr) for lithium-ion battery anodes. The process combines low-solvent contaminant removal, controlled surface reactivation, and bio-oil infiltration followed by mild pyrolysis to form a thin carbon layer on the r-Gr surface. The bio-oil-derived carbon layer is designed to stabilize the solid electrolyte interphase, suppress irreversible Li consumption, and improve interfacial charge-transfer behavior. The regenerated graphite is benchmarked against commercial graphite, uncoated r-Gr, and thermally treated r-Gr using structural, surface-chemical, and electrochemical analyses. Preliminary results indicate reduced irreversible capacity loss and improved cycling stability compared with untreated r-Gr. This scalable, solvent-minimized approach offers a sustainable pathway for converting spent-battery graphite into value-added anode materials. |
