Rice University researchers developed a new way to get lithium back from battery waste that can recover up to 87% of lithium from discarded battery cathodes in just 15 minutes.
The researchers used microwave radiation and a biodegradable deep eutectic solvent (DES) mixture of choline chloride and ethylene glycol.
Lithium is a critical metal essential for rechargeable batteries, but its supply is limited due to increasing demand from electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and modern consumer technology.
The global market for lithium-ion batteries is projected to expand significantly, exacerbating existing supply challenges, with predictions suggesting lithium mines may only meet half of the demand by 2030.
Conventional recycling methods involving harsh acids have limitations in recovering lithium efficiently from discarded battery cathodes, recovering less than 5%, and the process can be time-consuming and inefficient.
The microwave-assisted lithium leaching process transfers energy to molecules quickly, resulting in faster recovery. The choline chloride in the DES absorbs microwaves, allowing selective leaching of lithium over other metals by surrounding it with chloride ions.
The method exploits the magnetic properties of cobalt-based cathodes used in EVs, which unexpectedly magnetize during the process, allowing for effective separation and purification of exhausted battery materials. It can recover up to 98% of metals, minimizing environmental impact and enhancing lithium recovery rates, providing a sustainable recycling solution.
The study was supported by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the United States Army Corps of Engineers ERDC, and the Rice Academy Fellowship.
Sources: MINING.com, Meteo Giornale, New Atlas, AZoCleantech, Innovation News Network
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
