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Upcycling Spent LiCoO2 with O2-O3 Intergrowth for Enhanced High-Voltage Stability and Cycling Performance
Hai Lei1, Zihao Zeng1, Jiexiang Li1
1School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, P. R. China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Direct regeneration of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) upcycles degraded LiCoO2 (LCO) cathodes. This novel O2-O3 intergrown architecture enhances electrochemical performance and stability for next-generation energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Recycling Technology
Background:
- Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) pose environmental challenges.
- Current recycling methods for LiCoO2 (LCO) often yield materials with insufficient electrochemical performance for modern applications.
- Commercial LCO in the O3 phase exhibits poor high-voltage stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a direct regeneration strategy for spent LCO cathodes.
- To create an upcycled LCO material with an O2-O3 intergrown architecture.
- To improve the electrochemical properties and stability of regenerated LCO for advanced energy storage.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing fading characteristics of spent LCO as a basis for regeneration.
- Employing lattice reconstruction and ion-exchange for phase transformation to an O2-O3 intergrown structure.
- Precisely controlling O2-phase content by adjusting Li-deficiency in the spent LCO (SLCO).
Main Results:
- Successfully regenerated spent LCO into a novel O2-O3 intergrown architecture via lattice reconstruction and phase transformation.
- Coherent interlocking of O2 and O3 phases through lattice dislocations mitigated lattice expansion and oxygen release.
- The optimized material demonstrated a high capacity (223.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C), excellent cycle stability (90.6% retention after 100 cycles at 1.0 C), and improved long-term performance (73.6% retention after 500 cycles at 5 C with modified electrolyte).
- Lowered energy band (1.359 eV) and diffusion energy barrier (0.375 eV) contributed to enhanced energy storage capabilities.
Conclusions:
- The O2-O3 intergrown architecture in regenerated LCO significantly enhances electrochemical performance and stability compared to commercial LCO.
- This upcycling route offers a promising method for producing high-performance cathode materials from spent LIBs.
- The study highlights the potential of direct regeneration as a sustainable and efficient recycling strategy for LIBs.
