[SMM Analysis] University of Science and Technology of China Proposes a New Green Recycling Method for Scrap Lithium Batteries

SMM February 8:

On February 6, 2025, the research team led by Professor Wei Chen from the University of Science and Technology of China achieved a major breakthrough in the field of lithium battery recycling. For the first time, they proposed a green and sustainable waste recycling management strategy based on electrochemical principles. This strategy enables the simultaneous recovery of lithium resources from the cathode materials of scrap lithium-ion batteries and the capture and conversion of nitrogen oxide pollutants from industrial exhaust gases. The related research findings have been published in the journal *Nature Sustainability*.

Innovative Recycling Method

The research team designed an energy-free recycling method that utilizes the electrochemical reduction potential of NO₂ in exhaust gases and the electrochemical oxidation potential of cathode materials from scrap batteries. This method not only successfully recovers lithium resources from the cathode materials of scrap batteries but also converts NO₂ into high-value lithium nitrate. This process also achieves significant energy output, providing an efficient, environmentally friendly, and economically valuable new solution for lithium recovery and pollutant treatment.

Technical Details

Specifically, lithium ions spontaneously detach from the cathode materials of scrap lithium batteries and enter the electrolyte, while NO₂ on the other side is reduced to nitrite. The nitrite formed by the combination of the two is the direct electrochemical reaction product, simultaneously generating an output voltage of approximately 0.4V. The electrochemical reaction product, lithium nitrite, is further oxidized by oxygen in the air to form a more stable lithium nitrate product.

Economic and Environmental Advantages

The research team further analyzed the economic and environmental advantages and disadvantages of the proposed recycling strategy compared to traditional recycling strategies. The results showed that the new strategy significantly outperforms current mainstream recycling schemes in terms of energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and cost-benefit dimensions. This finding undoubtedly highlights its enormous potential in promoting green and sustainable economic development.

This innovative technology not only provides a new approach for the recycling and utilization of scrap lithium batteries but also opens up new avenues for industrial exhaust gas treatment. It is expected to play an important role in the future in the fields of resource recycling and environmental protection.

SMM New Energy Research Team

Cong Wang 021-51666838

Rui Ma 021-51595780

Disheng Feng 021-51666714

Yanlin Lü 021-20707875

Yujun Liu 021-20707895

Xiaodan Yu 021-20707870

Zhicheng Zhou 021-51666711

He Zhang 021-20707850