Our new paper, Electrochemical recycling of lithium-ion batteries: Advancements and future directions, is now available online at the Wiley journal EcoMat. Our review provides a perspective of different recycling techniques currently used for lithium-ion batteries. We begin by reviewing the more established pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods, which have been widely adopted in industrial applications. These methods, while effective, often involve high energy consumption and the use of chemical reagents, raising concerns about their long-term sustainability.

Building on this foundation, we focus on emerging electrochemical approaches, which offer a more sustainable alternative by using electricity to recover valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. This method reduces the need for harmful chemicals and promises lower energy demands, especially when powered by renewable energy sources. However, despite these advantages, electrochemical recycling is not without its challenges. Our paper critically examines key issues such as scalability and selectivity. We emphasize the need for further research to address these obstacles and unlock the full potential of electrochemical recycling to improve metal recovery efficiency while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

In the broader context of the energy transition, efficient battery recycling is becoming increasingly important. As demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage rises, ensuring the sustainable recovery of metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel is crucial. While electrochemical methods are promising, significant technical challenges remain to be addressed before these processes can be widely adopted. We believe our work contributes to a deeper understanding of the current landscape and offers insights into future directions.