Photo-Controlled Recovery of Nickel Cobalt Manganese for Sustainable Recycling of Batteries

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has significantly increased the demand for efficient and sustainable battery recycling technologies. Nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and manganese (Mn) are particularly valuable materials due to their critical role in high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Recovering these metals is essential for reducing environmental impact and lowering the cost of battery production. Beyond recovering bulk electrode materials, the extraction of transition metals leached into electrolytes during the recycling process represents an important, though often overlooked, opportunity. Efficient recovery of these metals is key to improving the overall sustainability of battery recycling.
This research focuses on the development of photo-responsive polymers capable of selectively capturing and releasing transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese from waste streams using light. By designing polymers that respond to specific wavelengths of light, this approach offers a reversible and eco-friendly method for metal recovery. The central concept to this study lies in the development of copolymers containing a photoswitchable unit that, when activated by light, changes its conformation to either binding or releasing transition metals mode. The polymers also incorporate solubilizing comonomers to enhance their compatibility with various waste streams. Various characterization techniques have been employed to identify polymer structure and properties. We have also evaluated the solubility, photo-responsiveness, and transition metal-binding ability of these polymer materials.
Ultimately, this research aims to develop a cost-effective and scalable process for the recovery of Ni, Co, and Mn from battery waste streams. By leveraging light as an external stimulus for reversible metal capture, this method has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of battery recycling while enabling the reuse of critical materials. This approach supports the creation of a more circular economy for battery materials, aligning with global sustainability goals in the rapidly expanding EV market. Through continued optimization of polymer design and synthesis, this work aims to establish the foundation for eco-friendly, high-efficiency battery recycling technologies that can be scaled for industrial applications.