Environmentally benign recycling of wastes into anode materials for sustainable energy storage

Authors

1 Scientific Center for New Technologies; Almaty, Abaya str.191, 050046/A05A1K0, Kazakhstan

2 Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, Kazakhstan

10.22124/cjes.2026.9804

Abstract

The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries necessitates the development of environmentally friendly and cost-effective anode materials. This study presents a laboratory-scale technology for recycling cast iron shavings from brake discs — abundant metallurgical waste generated during turning operations — into a high-performance anode material for 18650 cylindrical lithium-ion cells. The waste was processed through mechanical grinding, acid leaching, thermal activation, and electrode fabrication. Electrochemical testing of half-cells demonstrated a reversible specific capacity of 420–510 mAh g⁻¹ at a rate of 0.1C, along with excellent cycling stability (capacity retention of 85–92% after 100 cycles). Full 18650 cells assembled with the developed anode exhibited stable operating performance. The proposed approach offers an ecologically sound and economically viable method for converting industrial waste into valuable battery components, thereby supporting the principles of the circular economy in energy storage technologies.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 3
July 2026
Pages 975-981

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