New Eco-Friendly Method Extracts Almost All Lithium from Used Batteries

Scientists in China have developed a groundbreaking method for recycling lithium-ion batteries with remarkable efficiency. The process, which avoids harsh chemicals and toxic byproducts, can recover 99.99% of lithium, 96.8% of nickel, 92.35% of cobalt, and 90.59% of manganese from old batteries within just 15 minutes. The method uses glycine, a simple amino acid, to extract metals from spent batteries in a neutral solution, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional recycling techniques.

The breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between Central South University in Changsha, Guizhou Normal University, and the National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Energy Storage Materials. With the growing problem of battery waste due to the demand for consumer electronics and electric vehicles, this innovation provides a sustainable way to recover valuable materials.

A recent study from Stanford University highlighted that recycling lithium-ion batteries is far more sustainable than mining for new materials, but existing recycling methods still have negative environmental impacts. This new approach, published in the journal *Angewandte Chemie International Edition*, could help mitigate those issues by offering a greener, large-scale recycling solution for battery waste.