WPI Researchers Unveil High-Efficiency, Eco-Friendly Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Method

Published: Jul 25, 2025 17:58

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The research team led by Professor Wang Yan from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the US published a breakthrough battery recycling technology in Energy Storage Materials, developing a new hydrometallurgical process that can be scaled up for application, which can efficiently convert the low-nickel mixed cathode materials in spent lithium-ion batteries into high-performance nickel-rich polycrystalline cathodes. The Technology Implementation of this technology achieves a collection rate of over 92% for key metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The performance of batteries made from recycled materials is comparable to that of primary materials, with the capacity retention rate of commercial pouch batteries reaching 88% after 500 cycles and remaining above 85% after 900 cycles. At the same time, it saves 8.6% energy and reduces carbon emissions by 13.9% compared to traditional processes. This innovative technology, which combines environmental and economic benefits, not only solves the problem of battery waste disposal but also provides key technical support for building a sustainable battery supply chain by establishing a closed-loop cycle of "waste - high-performance materials", and is expected to significantly reduce dependence on the extraction of key raw materials and promote the green development of the clean energy industry.

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