Recycling of Graphite Anode from Spent Lithium‐ion Batteries for Preparing Fe‐N‐doped Carbon ORR Catalyst

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we recycled anode graphite of spent lithium‐ion batteries (LiBs) to prepare an ORR electrocatalyst applied in fuel cells. The discarded graphite was used as a carbon carrier and doped with N and Fe via simple pyrolysis with polyaniline and iron salt. Importantly, in comparison with the commercial Pt/C catalyst, the obtained catalyst exhibits better catalytic activity, methanol resistance and durability. Currently, fuel cells and lithium‐ion batteries are served as two major energy sources in vehicles. This work provides a novel guideline for recycling the graphite anode of LiBs and paves a way forward for the application of a superior and low‐cost electrocatalyst in fuels.