100% Battery Recycling Could Be Possible
Scientists aim to replace conventional liquid or gel electrolyte lithium-ion batteries with solid-state lithium batteries due to their higher stability, energy density, and safety. Solid-state batteries can significantly enhance the performance and range of electric vehicles and the battery life of cellphones. However, they pose a recycling challenge as their solid electrolytes complicate material separation, risking environmental harm.
Researchers at Penn State University (PSU) have developed a practical method to recycle solid-state batteries. They inserted polymer layers between the electrode and electrolyte of a solid-state lithium coin cell, which, during the recycling process, prevented them from mixing. This separation enabled efficient recycling of battery materials. Using cold sintering, the researchers combined recovered materials into a new battery, which retained over 92% of the original battery’s discharge capacity. This successful experiment suggests that recycling solid-state batteries is feasible, paving the way for environmentally friendly battery technology in the future. The study is published in the journal ACS Energy Letters.