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Phase Fraction Modulation Enhances Li+/Na+ Diffusion Disparity in Spent LiFePO4 Cathodes for Efficient Lithium
Ruiqi Yin1,2, Qihan Huang1,2, Jiayu Hao2,3,4
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|April 16, 2026
Summary
A new method efficiently recycles spent lithium iron phosphate (SLFP) batteries by extracting lithium from brine. This approach significantly cuts energy use and pollution, boosting profitability for sustainable "urban mining".
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Traditional spent lithium iron phosphate (SLFP) recycling is energy-intensive, polluting, and unprofitable.
- Existing methods struggle with efficiency and environmental impact, necessitating innovative solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel direct cascaded utilization strategy for SLFP recycling.
- To enable efficient lithium extraction from secondary lithium-containing brine using SLFP.
- To improve the economic and environmental viability of SLFP recycling.
Main Methods:
- Phase fraction modulation in the SLFP lattice via controlled oxidant dosage.
- Utilizing a pH-maintained reversible phase transition framework for lithium extraction.
- Regulating LiFePO4 phase (x in LixFePO4) to control lithium extraction efficiency.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient lithium extraction from brine with up to 99% recovery in 40 min.
- Demonstrated enhanced structure stability and Li+/Na+ selectivity (0.56 eV barrier difference) in Li0.19FePO4.
- Reported significantly reduced Fe and P dissolution loss rates (0.27% and 0.58%).
Conclusions:
- The proposed strategy offers a profitable and sustainable SLFP recycling method.
- This approach reduces energy demand by 40.5% and GHG emissions by 67.8% compared to pyrometallurgy.
- The method bypasses pre-sorting, enhances recycling efficiency, and promotes high-value lithium recovery from brine.
