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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:49
A Protocol for Electrochemical Evaluations and State of Charge Diagnostics of a Symmetric Organic Redox Flow Battery
Published on: February 13, 2017
Continuous Recovery of Spent LiFePO4 via Ascorbic Acid Based Redox Flow Battery
Jianan Zan1, Yizhi Liao2, Wei Shan2
1State Key Laboratory of Tropic Ocean Engineering Materials and Materials Evaluation, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|August 3, 2026
Summary
This study presents a green method for recycling lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries using a redox flow battery and ascorbic acid. This approach offers efficient, low-energy recycling for a sustainable battery economy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Direct recycling of spent lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is crucial for a circular economy in lithium-ion batteries.
- Conventional recycling methods are energy-intensive and cause environmental pollution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient, ambient-temperature direct recycling method for spent LiFePO4.
- To utilize a continuous redox flow battery with regenerable ascorbic acid as a mediator.
Main Methods:
- A continuous redox flow battery system was employed.
- Regenerable ascorbic acid was used as a redox mediator for relithiation.
- Electrochemical regeneration of ascorbic acid was performed for a near-closed-loop process.
Main Results:
- The regenerated LiFePO4 demonstrated a specific capacity of 123.6 mAh/g at 0.5 C.
- A capacity restoration efficiency of 44.3% was achieved.
- Structural and elemental analyses confirmed the successful restoration of the crystal lattice and lithium content.
Conclusions:
- The developed method provides a green, economical, and scalable strategy for direct LiFePO4 recycling.
- This approach shows significant potential for industrial-scale battery reclamation and promotes a sustainable battery lifecycle.
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