Continuous solar-driven recycling of lithium-ion battery cathode materials enabled by a stable benzobisthiazole-linked polymeric photocatalyst

Recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential but highly limited by high energy consumption and significant waste emissions. Herein, we propose a solar-driven recycling strategy applicable to a wide range of LIB cathode materials. The core of this approach lies in the efficient and stable hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, enabled by a rationally engineered benzobisthiazole-linked polymeric photocatalyst. The in-situ photogenerated H2O2 induces the redox reactions of metal species, promoting their dissolution and lithium-ion deintercalation. Under optimal conditions, this approach achieves Li+ leaching rates of up to 14 mmol h−1 g−1 and transition metal extraction efficiencies exceeding 90%. Outdoor trials under natural sunlight demonstrate continuous and stable recycling of LiCoO2 for over a 30-day period, achieving average daily leaching yields of 8.4 mmol Co2+ and 8.7 mmol Li+. A techno-economic analysis further supports the practical feasibility of our photocatalytic recycling strategy, underscoring its potential as a scalable and sustainable solution for recovering critical metals from LIB waste. The authors present a solar-driven recycling of LIB cathodes involving in-situ photocatalytic H2O2 production enabled by a stable polymeric photocatalyst. 30-day outdoor trials under natural sunlight further demonstrated its practical feasibility.