Progress on the Regeneration and Application of Graphite Anodes for Retired Lithium-Ion Batteries

Minghao Ye, Yusheng Gong, Keyu Zhang, Binbin Li, Yaguang Zhang, Xiangyang Zhou, Bin Yang, Yaochun Yao

Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5) : 957-973.

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Prog Chem ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (5) : 957-973. DOI: 10.7536/PC20251120
Review

Progress on the Regeneration and Application of Graphite Anodes for Retired Lithium-Ion Batteries

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Abstract

With the widespread application of lithium-ion batteries （LIBs） in portable electronic devices， new energy vehicles， and energy storage fields， the issue of comprehensive recovery of valuable resources from a large number of retired batteries has become increasingly prominent. Currently， the industry mostly focuses on the recovery of valuable metals in the cathode electrode， while the resource value and environmental risks of the graphite anode are easily overlooked. To achieve green resource recovery and high-value application， this paper systematically reviews the recovery and utilization technologies of graphite anode from retired LIBs： Firstly， it sorts out the exfoliation and purification methods of graphite anode， including heat treatment， electrochemical exfoliation and chemical solvent exfoliation， and analyzes the advantages， disadvantages and process parameters of each method. Secondly， it summarizes the regeneration strategies of graphite anode， covering surface treatment， coating technology， doping technology and compositing modification， and clarifies the mechanism by which each strategy improves electrochemical performance. Finally， it discusses the functional application paths of waste graphite， including the preparation and development of high-value products such as graphene， graphite-based catalysts， and energy storage capacitors. This paper provides key data support and technical directions for the resource utilization of retired graphite anode， and is of great significance for alleviating the pressure on the graphite supply chain， reducing environmental pollution， and facilitating the “dual carbon” strategy.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Stripping and purification of graphite anodes from retired lithium-ion batteries

2.1 Thermal treatment

2.2 Electrochemical exfoliation

2.3 Chemical treatment

3 Regeneration strategies of spent graphite anodes

3.1 Surface treatment

3.2 Coating technology

3.3 Doping technology

3.4 Composite modification

4 Functional application of spent graphite

4.1 Graphene

4.2 Catalyst

4.3 Capacitor

5 Technical comparison and current status

5.1 Challenges of various technical processes

5.2 Current status of various technical processes

6 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

retired lithium-ion batteries / graphite anodes / regeneration and application / functional materials

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Minghao Ye , Yusheng Gong , Keyu Zhang , et al . Progress on the Regeneration and Application of Graphite Anodes for Retired Lithium-Ion Batteries[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2026, 38(5): 957-973 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC20251120

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52104302)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(52064031)
Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(202401AS070069)
Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects(202402AF080003)
“Xingdian Talent Support Plan” Programs of Yunnan Province(KKXX202452031)
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