Although lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used, recycling them poses significant social and technological difficulties. Recovering useful raw materials from spent LIBs requires efficient processes. Studies currently examine the effectiveness of electrolytes like NaCl, K2CO3, and other aqueous electrolytes in promoting effective internal and external discharge below 2V, thereby minimizing pole corrosion. Mechanical recycling requires that battery voltage be kept below 2V, which emphasizes the importance of this study. So, the objective of this research work is to estimate the energy recovery potential and identify probable discharge reactions from 10% by weight of K2CO3, specifically to investigate the discharge current, voltage, and pH of the electrolyte solution at the poles.
The results indicated from the electrochemical investigation showed the voltage above 1.7V signifies a water-splitting reaction, with the discharge current declining gradually, reflecting evolving reaction kinetics. Upon removal from the solution, a rebound voltage of 2.457V is recorded. At the negative pole, a marked increase in pH to 13.67 occurs due to reduction reactions. In contrast, at the positive pole, a slight decrease to pH 9.22 is noted compared to the overall solution pH of 11.82, attributed to oxidation reactions. This study highlights the importance of understanding the discharge voltage, and current of the battery for electrochemical discharge and the impact of pH on the battery casing corrosion. Further studies are required to identify a suitable electrochemical discharge medium to ensure below 2 V voltage for the Li-ion batteries before entering the recycling process.