Electrochemical and structural characterization of copper recycled from anodes of spent Li-ion batteries

In this study, the charge efficiency, nucleation growth, and morphology of electrodeposited copper from spent Li-batteries were studied. The charge efficiency for these deposits shows a maximum value of 99.41%, under a charge density of 5.0 C cm^?2. Studies with the SEM technique at pH 2.0 show well-formed nuclei. At pH 4.5, the deposits take the form of dendrites. XRD analysis shows that, in both cases, a Cu₂O structure is present, but with a large amount at pH 4.5, evidenced by peaks of 002] and 110] directions.