With more and more electric vehicles, gadgets, and solar energy systems being used worldwide, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has increased massively. While these batteries power many devices and machines we use daily, they become a serious environmental problem once they stop working.

If not handled properly, old batteries can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. At the same time, they contain valuable materials like lithium and cobalt, which are becoming harder to find. So, scientists are working hard to find better, safer ways to recycle these batteries.

Now, researchers have developed a new method to tackle this problem, called tribocatalysis. This method has been used for the first time to recycle old battery materials.

What is tribocatalysis?

Tribocatalysis is a process that creates a chemical reaction through friction – in other words, by rubbing two surfaces together. This rubbing action helps release tiny particles known as reactive species, which then help extract useful metals like lithium and cobalt from used batteries.

In this new method, tribocatalysis is used together with a weak acid to pull valuable ions out of the battery’s old parts. This is done especially from the cathode – the part of the battery that stores energy.

The researchers took the help of computer models and real experiments to test this method. Their studies showed that it works well and doesn’t need high heat or strong chemicals, making it much safer and cheaper than traditional methods.

The current scenario in recycling

Currently, lithium-ion batteries are recycled using two main methods, called Pyrometallurgy and Hydrometallurgy.

Pyrometallurgy means burning the battery parts to get the metals out. This method uses a lot of energy and releases harmful gases.

On the other hand, Hydrometallurgy uses liquids and chemicals to dissolve and separate the metals. While this method is more efficient and uses lower temperatures, it also releases toxic gases like chlorine and nitrogen oxides, and it requires many steps to clean up the metal materials, which can pollute the environment further.

How is Tribocatalysis different?

Tribocatalysis avoids both these problems as it doesn’t need high temperatures or toxic chemicals, and it makes the process of recycling faster and cleaner.

Professor Changzheng Hu, who helped lead the study at Guilin University of Technology in China, says this new approach could be a game-changer. It not only helps recycle valuable resources from old batteries but also reduces waste and pollution.

What does it mean for the future?

As the world shifts more toward clean energy and electric vehicles, the demand for lithium-ion batteries will only grow. This makes finding better recycling methods more important than ever. The new tribocatalysis technique could help solve two big problems at once: saving valuable resources and protecting the planet.

If adopted widely, this method could support the safe and sustainable growth of the battery industry, making our future a little greener.

This research was published by the team in the Journal of Advanced Ceramics on June 23, 2025.