News Materials Science

Lithium-ion batteries made with recycled materials can outlast newer counterparts

Proving performance could boost battery manufacturers’ confidence in reused materials

A white Nissan electric car with a charger stuck into the front

Without recycling, manufacturers may run out of resources needed to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and other devices in the decades to come.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

By Carolyn Wilke

Lithium-ion batteries with recycled cathodes can outperform batteries with cathodes made from pristine materials, lasting for thousands of additional charging cycles, a study finds. 

Growing demand for these batteries — which power devices from smartphones to electric vehicles — may outstrip the