{"id":96265,"date":"2025-08-20T07:34:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T07:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/96265\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T07:34:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T07:34:09","slug":"turning-spent-batteries-into-high-voltage-energy-storage-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/96265\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning spent batteries into high-voltage energy storage systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Eco-friendly<\/p>\n

Comparison of conventional recycling methods and upcycling strategy. Schematic of the a) closed-loop upcycling by RFBs and b) digital images of closed-loop RFB upcycling process. Credit: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)<\/p>\n

As electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) become increasingly widespread, the management and recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries has emerged as a pressing global issue. Traditional recycling methods, such as energy-intensive smelting or chemically aggressive wet processes, require significant energy and pose environmental risks.<\/p>\n

A research team led by Dr. Yosep Han at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) has successfully developed an eco-friendly electrochemical process to upcycle lithium manganese oxide (LiMn\u2082O\u2084, LMO), a common cathode material in spent lithium-ion batteries<\/a>. This process was directly integrated into a zinc\u2013manganese redox flow battery (Zn\u2013Mn RFB), a promising next-generation energy storage system, demonstrating its practical feasibility.<\/p>\n

The paper is published<\/a> in the journal Small.<\/p>\n

Unlike conventional recycling that focuses on metal recovery, this method electrochemically converts LMO into manganese ions (Mn\u00b2\u207a), which are then used as electrolytes for redox flow batteries. The team’s innovation represents a substantial shift toward value-added recycling, moving beyond simple resource recovery, enabling a circular battery ecosystem.<\/p>\n

This approach also allows manganese and lithium to be selectively separated by simply adjusting the electrolyte’s pH, further facilitating material reuse. The technology enables spent batteries to serve as a direct source of electrolyte and subsequently be reconverted into precursor materials for new batteries\u2014laying the groundwork for a sustainable, closed-loop battery lifecycle.<\/p>\n

Traditional recovery processes typically rely on high-temperature (over 900 \u00b0C) smelting or strong-acid-based hydrometallurgy, which require substantial energy and pose environmental risks<\/a>. In contrast, the new method developed by KIGAM eliminates the need for thermal or chemical extremes, significantly reducing both energy consumption<\/a> and ecological impact.<\/p>\n

Rather than decomposing the LMO material, the researchers guided it through an electrochemical conversion into Mn\u00b2\u207a ions and integrated it into the battery’s electrolyte. The result: comparable initial performance to commercial MnSO\u2084-based electrolytes, and over 70% energy efficiency<\/a> retained after 250 charge\/discharge cycles.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the team applied a dual-membrane hybrid redox flow battery architecture to achieve high operating voltage and extended cycle life\u2014key requirements for the commercialization of large-scale, long-duration energy storage systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“This research overcomes the complexity and environmental drawbacks of existing battery recycling technologies,” said Dr. Yosep Han. “We aim to further enhance battery resource circularity and energy storage efficiency, contributing to carbon neutrality and a recycling-oriented society.”<\/p>\n

More information:
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuho Han et al, Direct Integration of Spent LiMn2O4 with High Voltage Aqueous Zinc\u2010Manganese Redox Flow Batteries as a Practical Upcycling Process, Small (2025). DOI: 10.1002\/smll.202500787<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJournal information:
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a> <\/p>\n

Provided by
\n National Research Council of Science and Technology<\/a>
\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Citation:
\n Eco-friendly upcycling: Turning spent batteries into high-voltage energy storage systems (2025, August 19)
\n retrieved 20 August 2025
\n from https:\/\/techxplore.com\/news\/2025-08-eco-friendly-upcycling-spent-batteries.html\n <\/p>\n

\n This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
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