US process recovers high-purity lithium from spent EV batteries

Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), led by Professor Yan Wang, have developed advancements in solid-state battery technology and lithium recycling that could enhance battery performance and sustainability. They created an iron-doped lithium-indium chloride material that resolves the incompatibility between halide-based solid-state electrolytes and lithium-metal anodes without requiring costly protective layers. This innovation maintains high ionic conductivity and demonstrates impressive long-term stability, with full cells retaining 80% capacity after 300 charge-discharge cycles and symmetric cells operating over 500 hours without degradation—marking a first in the field. In addition, the team developed a safe, scalable recycling method for spent lithium-metal anodes using a self-driven aldol condensation reaction with acetone, producing lithium carbonate with 99.79% purity, surpassing industry standards. The recovered lithium carbonate was successfully used to create new cathode materials exhibiting electrochemical performance comparable to commercial products. This recycling approach offers a practical solution to reduce reliance on lithium mining, lower production