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Updated: May 14, 2026
08:35
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Published on: January 7, 2019
Closed-loop Recycling of Sulfide Solid Electrolytes from Spent Solid-State Sodium Batteries.
Yongtai Xu1, Radwa Elawadly2, Renita M D'Souza1
1Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 13, 2026
Summary
This study presents a sustainable recycling method for sodium antimony sulfide solid electrolytes in all-solid-state sodium batteries. Recycled electrolytes maintain performance, supporting battery circularity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Energy
Background:
- All-solid-state sodium batteries (ASSSBs) offer safe, large-scale energy storage potential.
- Recyclability of solid electrolytes is crucial for sustainability but underexplored.
- Current electrolytes often use scarce, expensive elements, hindering scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a closed-loop recycling strategy for Na3SbS4 (NAS) solid electrolytes.
- To investigate the feasibility of regenerating NAS from spent ASSSBs.
- To assess the performance of recycled NAS (R-NAS) compared to pristine NAS (P-NAS).
Main Methods:
- DFT calculations guided the recycling process.
- A mild dissolution-recrystallization-thermal treatment was employed for recovery.
- Characterization of R-NAS structure, chemistry, and electrochemical properties.
Main Results:
- Efficient recovery and regeneration of NAS from spent ASSSBs achieved.
- R-NAS preserved the crystal structure, coordination, and chemical states of P-NAS.
- R-NAS exhibited comparable ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and cycling performance to P-NAS.
Conclusions:
- A feasible and sustainable recycling strategy for high-performance sulfide solid electrolytes was demonstrated.
- Recycling preserves the structural integrity and functionality of NAS electrolytes.
- This approach supports the circular economy for all-solid-state battery technologies.
Keywords:
Na3SbS4 electrolytebattery recyclingdirectly wet‐chemical processsolid electrolytesolid‐state sodium batteriesMore Related Videos
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