While traditional lithium extraction methods mainly focus on obtaining this valuable metal from natural sources, there is an alternative approach—recycling used batteries that are no longer functional. A new technology has the potential to make this process more economically viable.

Why Lithium Is So Important

Lithium holds a special place among materials used for energy storage in rechargeable batteries. It is the lightest metal in the periodic table and boasts a high energy density. Thanks to its ability to easily release electrons, lithium has the highest electrochemical potential, making it ideal for repeated energy storage and release. Despite lithium’s abundance on Earth, its extraction is often expensive, complex, and harmful to the environment.

Recycling Batteries as a Source of Lithium

In search of alternative sources, scientists have turned their attention to lithium-ion batteries that have reached the end of their service life but still contain metal suitable for reuse. For example, a method using microwaves to extract lithium from used batteries was previously proposed. However, despite the large number of such batteries, separating lithium from other components remains a costly process.

A New Lithium Extraction Technology

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed an innovative method for recycling lithium. Under the guidance of Professor Xiao Su, the team disassembled used batteries and placed them in an organic solvent, producing a solution containing lithium and other metals.

To selectively extract lithium, the scientists created a special copolymer electrode whose molecules bind to lithium and respond to electric current. When the electrode is placed in the solution and voltage is applied, it absorbs only lithium, leaving the other metals in the solution.

Efficiency and Economic Benefits

The method proved effective for separating and extracting lithium, and the electrode maintained its conductivity for over 500 cycles. According to the researchers, the cost of extracting lithium using this method is about $12.70 per kilogram, which is significantly cheaper than other methods.

For comparison:

• Acid leaching costs between $81 and $462 per kilogram and results in chemical waste.
• High-temperature smelting costs $36–126 per kilogram and is less efficient for lithium separation.

Thus, the new technology could become the first commercially viable method for recovering lithium from used batteries.

Prospects and Significance

According to Daily Metal Prices, at the time of writing, lithium traded on the open market at $13.17 per kilogram. This means the new technology allows lithium to be obtained even more cheaply than buying it.

The researchers note that their work is still at the conceptual stage, and the next step will be scaling up and refining the process.

“These results highlight the broad potential of electrochemical separation methods for recycling metals not only in water but also in organic solvents, which are often used for battery waste leaching,” says Xiao Su. “We hope this work will help create a more closed and sustainable lithium supply chain, improve supply security, and potentially reduce the environmental impact associated with other lithium extraction methods, such as mining.”