New method can recycle lithium from batteries without using acids
Rice University engineers have found a cleaner way to recycle lithium from old batteries—no harsh acids or high-heat smelting needed.
Their new process pulls out super-pure lithium hydroxide, which battery makers actually want, and was recently published in Joule.
How does it work?
Instead of breaking everything down, the method lets used battery materials release lithium ions into water during recharging.
A clever setup then turns these ions directly into useful lithium hydroxide, all while avoiding harsh chemicals and high-energy processes.
Why does this matter?
This shortcut skips wasteful steps and cuts energy use, which is huge as EV battery demand grows.
Researcher Sibani Lisa Biswal says it gives manufacturers exactly what they need, while Haotian Wang points out that it could lead to a more resilient supply chain.