Emerging Technologies for Chemical Recovery of Spent Batteries
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editors
Interests: lithium ion battery; electrolyte; interphase; supercapacitor; energy conversion; sensor
Interests: materials science; chemistry; supercapacitor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, the rapid growth of electronic waste, particularly spent batteries, has posed significant environmental and economic challenges worldwide. Conventional disposal methods, such as landfilling and incineration, are often hindered by inefficiency, environmental pollution, and the loss of valuable metals. As a result, innovative strategies and sustainable alternatives are urgently needed. Emerging chemical recycling technologies including hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and bioleaching are now considered promising approaches for recovering critical metals (e.g., lithium, cobalt, nickel) from spent batteries. These methods not only enhance resource efficiency but also minimize hazardous waste generation. Given the complex composition of battery materials, the effectiveness of these recycling techniques depends on the synergistic optimization of multiple processes, such as selective leaching, solvent extraction, and electrochemical recovery. This multi-mechanism approach likely contributes to higher metal recovery rates and reduced secondary pollution, making large-scale industrial adoption increasingly feasible. Advanced chemical recycling may offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional disposal methods or even complement existing processes to improve overall sustainability.
This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research on all aspects of chemical recycling technologies for spent batteries. There remains a critical need to further explore their mechanisms, efficiency, and potential applications in achieving a circular economy for battery materials.
Dr. Yuan Liang
Dr. Feng Yu
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- spent battery recycling
- chemical recycling technologies
- critical metal recovery
- hydrometallurgy
- bioleaching
- circular economy
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