A new method of reclaiming some of the metal cathodes used in lithium-ion batteries could potentially help assist toll processing efforts to make efficient, environmentally friendlier electric batteries.
The technique, described in the journal Joule, allows for the relatively rare metals nickel, manganese and cobalt to be reclaimed and reused to create new, better batteries.
The process starts with completely discharging the batteries, before shredding them and sieving the fluid mixture separate from the casing, wires, plastics and other battery components that cannot be easily recycled.
Following this, the cathodes, as well as graphite and other metals, are separated, leaving powdered cobalt, nickel and manganese as the end products.
These powders can then be used as the cathodes for new lithium-ion batteries that allow for better ion diffusion and are less likely to crack with repeated discharging and charging.
Previous research has suggested that batteries made with recycled materials last longer than ones made with virgin metals, but it has been difficult to extract several parts of the battery without a particularly labour-intensive method.
Creating a system such as this allows for more widespread Li-ion battery recycling, which helps with one of the concerns about using the battery type, which is the rarity, expense and environmental cost of mining enough lithium, manganese, cobalt and nickel to meet demand.
This, along with the rise of other potential battery types such as sodium-ion and glass cathode could help to ensure there are enough batteries to meet the needs of an increasingly electrified world, as fossil fuels are phased out of transportation, heating and other parts of society.