Photo-Fenton-like degradation of methylene blue using recycled LiCoO2 and LiMn0.3Co0.7O2 cathodes: a comparative study
摘要
This study demonstrates the effective use of recycled Li-ion battery cathode tapes—specifically LiCoO2 and LiMn0.3Co0.7O2—for the degradation of methylene blue through a photo-Fenton-like process. The LiMn0.3Co0.7O2 cathode exhibited superior catalytic performance, with a higher first-order rate constant (14.0 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹ vs. 9.4 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) and a smaller band gap (2.06 eV vs. 2.25 eV), enabling more efficient hydroxyl radical generation. ESI-MS analysis identified degradation intermediates (m/z = 227 and 114), confirming progressive mineralization pathways. These findings highlight the dual environmental benefits of using recycled cathodes: mitigating dye pollution and promoting sustainable battery waste management. The results pave the way for scalable applications of waste-derived materials in advanced oxidation processes.