Researchers develop method to upcycle end-of-life batteries
University of Birmingham researchers say they have developed a method to upcycle end-of-life batteries into materials that can be used for “next generation” electric vehicle battery cathodes.
The team at the University of Birmingham used the recovered material from end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries to synthesize compounds with a disordered rock salt (DRX) structure. DRX materials can increase the capacity of the cathode, which allows the development of higher energy density rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, the University says.
The cathode is the part of batteries that supply electrical current. The University says the cathode is the primary limitation for achieving the high-energy, low-cost lithium-ion (LI) batteries needed for the transition to zero emissions at the tailpipe.
The research team led by Professor Peter Slater believe this is the first time such materials have been made from recycled EV battery feedstock. The University says the results of electrochemical testing showed comparable performance to materials prepared from conventional high-purity reagents.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham are aiming to upcycle recovered battery materials, so the waste streams from current EV batteries can be used to manufacture new high-performance batteries.
