Ultrasonic Separation of Battery Electrodes in Water for Sustainable Recycling

A study conducted by Yuka Yamada et al. was published in WASTE MANAGEMENT.

In recent years, the electrification of automobiles has sharply increased the demand for lithium-ion batteries. This surge has generated not only large numbers of spent batteries but also significant volumes of unused electrode offcuts from manufacturing lines, highlighting the need for efficient recycling technologies. Recovering electrode materials in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner is therefore critical.
Conventional recycling relies on high heat or aggressive chemicals, both of which are costly and harmful to the environment. In addition, the multilayered architecture of electrodes complicates the clean separation of their components.

Here, we present a solvent-free, low-energy method that uses ultrasonic waves in water to rapidly delaminate electrode offcuts. Brief sonication cleanly detaches active materials from their metallic current collectors without the need for heat or chemicals.
This ultrasound-assisted process paves the way for closed-loop recycling of electrode materials and supports the development of more sustainable battery manufacturing.

Title: Ultrasonic separation of electrode scrap in water: a sustainable method for Li-ion battery recycling
Authors: Yamada, Y., Kondo, Y., Kondo, H.
Journal Name: WASTE MANAGEMENT
Published: June 21, 2025
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114969