Argonne pioneers new processes to create materials for batteries, biofuels

Newswise — New chemical separations enable battery recycling, biodieselWhen recycling cans and bottles, at some point it becomes necessary to separate out plastic from metal. When recycling car batteries, getting out the most valuable metals also requires a separation, but this time it entails a specific kind of chemical separation process. The cobalt, manganese and nickel found in battery cathodes are expensive to mine and scientists have for years sought a way to create new batteries from spent ones. When a car battery reaches the end of its life, it goes to an automotive shredder that chops it up. Getting out the useful chemicals from these chopped up batteries is no easy task. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have turned to a process called capacitive deionization that uses the electric charges of nickel, manganese and…

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