Recycled lithium-ion batteries could last 50 percent longer than new ones, per study

A study by researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute indicates that lithium-ion batteries made from recycled and recovered components could last for as many as 50 percent more charging cycles than their counterparts made entirely from pristine materials. 

As part of the project, the researchers took old, shredded batteries and recovered three key metal components for the battery cathode - cobalt, manganese, and nickel, from an acid solution. When reconstituted into a new part, they discovered that, surprisingly, batteries with cathodes made of recycled components were able to handle nearly 4000 additional charges before losing charging capacity, compared to their conventional counterparts. 

This has significant implications for industry. Billions of smartphones are powered by lithium-ion batteries, and the rise of electric vehicles means that demand for raw materials will be even greater. Cobalt, one of the key materials involved in lithium-ion battery production is primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in conditions described as being akin to slavery. A greater focus on recycled batteries could reduce the need for sourcing cobalt from poverty-stricken regions and have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions.