Specialism: Physical Chemistry
Institution: University of Leicester
Professor Andrew Abbott is a Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Leicester. Professor Abbott specialises in research areas surrounding green chemistry, with a particular emphasis on electrochemical processes. He is actively developing novel solvent systems with industrial applications, such as metal deposition and dissolution. Much of his work to date has been in the development of novel processes using ionic liquids.
The recycling and analysis work stream is focussed on the safe and efficient segregation and repurposing of the battery cell constituents. The aim is to design a process which ensures the most efficient separation of the collectors, active materials, polymers and electrolytes. It will test viable solvo- and mechanical processes for delamination and include a variety of chemical and biochemical routes to regenerate and up-cycle the metal oxide fraction. Close collaboration by the Universities of Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leicester and Liverpool together with the Diamond Light Source will characterise the mechanical and morphological properties of the cell components as a function of age, providing an insight into degradation pathways. The work stream will demonstrate, on a realistic scale, the fast, efficient segregation and recovery of LiB materials aiding the circular economy in batteries.