Friction tech recovers lithium power from dead batteries without waste

Researchers in China have developed a novel recycling method called tribocatalysis that recovers valuable lithium and cobalt from dead lithium-ion batteries without generating toxic emissions or waste. This technique uses friction between surfaces combined with a weak acid to extract metal ions from the battery cathode. Unlike traditional recycling methods—pyrometallurgy, which involves high-temperature burning and releases harmful gases, and hydrometallurgy, which uses strong chemicals and produces toxic byproducts—tribocatalysis operates at low temperatures without harsh chemicals, making it safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. The research, led by Professor Changzheng Hu at Guilin University of Technology and published in the Journal of Advanced Ceramics in June 2025, demonstrated through computer modeling and experiments that tribocatalysis efficiently recycles battery materials while reducing pollution and waste. Given the rapidly increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries driven by electric vehicles and clean energy technologies, this breakthrough offers a promising sustainable solution to conserve scarce resources and mitigate environmental