Flash recycling breakthrough achieves 98% efficiency in battery recovery
Researchers rapidly heated battery waste to 2,500 Kelvin, transforming it into structures with distinct magnetic shells and stable cores.
A new method has been developed to extract purified active materials from battery waste. This method will help separate and recycle battery materials at a low cost.
The research team led by James Tour proposed that magnetic properties could facilitate the separation and purification of spent battery materials.
With the surge in battery use, particularly in electric vehicles, developing sustainable recycling methods is pressing.
In this study, researchers used the solvent-free flash Joule heating (FJH) method to rapidly heat and transform battery waste into substances with unique features.
The FJH process resulted in a high battery metal recovery yield of 98%, with the value of battery structure maintained.
Metal impurities were significantly reduced after separation, while preserving the structure and functionality of the materials.
The research presented the method combined with magnetic separation to restore fresh cathodes from waste cathodes, followed by solid-state relithiation. The entire process is called flash recycling.
Cathodes reveal intact core structures with hierarchical features, implying the feasibility of reconstituting into new cathodes.
Flash recycling offers greater environmental and economic benefits compared to traditional destructive recycling processes.
The FJH process can presumably be integrated into a similar continuous system for spent lithium-ion battery recycling.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/flash-recycling-breakthrough-achieves-98-efficiency-in-battery-recovery