Green tea for a green future: Batteries renewed with polyphenols!

The number of old lithium-ion batteries is increasing, mainly due to the popularity of electric vehicles. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) cathodes have been difficult to recycle until now, as they do not contain valuable metals. Traditional processes, such as chemical decomposition or melting, are energy-intensive and do not allow for the reuse of functional electrodes.

In a study published in the journal Advanced Materials, researchers from Hefei, Shenzhen and Suzhou have presented an innovative method for directly regenerating batteries using tea leaf polyphenols as electron donors. These restore iron ions and repair the crystal lattice. The addition of aluminum and phosphate fills in damaged surfaces and creates conductive layers that allow for faster flow of ions and electrons.

After 400 charge cycles, the regenerated cathodes retain more than 90% of their original capacity. This means that “spent” batteries can be reused in electric vehicles or stationary systems. A natural and affordable additive such as tea polyphenol enables sustainable regeneration.

The method could become industrially applicable and extend to other battery chemistries. Instead of destroying them at the end of their life, they could simply be “refreshed” in the future. This approach combines natural materials and chemistry and promises ecological, economic and technological benefits.