Cells with glue-like binders
Boffins at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new material that allows old lithium-ion cells to be recycled with just water. And it could soon make battery recycling cheaper and safer.
Battery cells use glue-like binders to hold the positively charged cathode and negatively charged anode. Lawrence Berkeley’s material is a “quick-release” binder made from two widely available polymers that dissolves when placed in room-temperature alkaline water containing sodium hydroxide. The battery metals can then be filtered out of the solution and air-dried. This means there is no burning and or release of toxins.
Senior scientist at the Berkeley lab Gao Liu said that the research is already moving into commercial testing with Onto Technologies, a recycling startup in Bend, Oregon. If all goes well, the new binding material…