Scientists have developed a new way to reuse graphite recovered from discarded lithium-ion batteries, turning battery waste into a useful material that can improve the performance of fuel cells.
As the use of lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells continues to grow, managing battery waste and improving fuel cell efficiency have become important challenges. Researchers have been looking for ways to recycle used battery materials for advanced energy applications.
A team of researchers from International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), focused on graphite recovered from spent lithium-ion batteries. The team chemically treated the recovered graphite to increase its surface area and improve its functional properties.
The processed graphite was then combined with platinum-based catalysts used in oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), an important process in fuel cells. The study showed that the modified graphite helped improve electronic conductivity and oxygen transport in the fuel cell system.
Importantly, the material also showed good methanol tolerance under acidic conditions relevant to Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. It reduced unwanted methanol oxidation and helped protect platinum catalysts from carbon monoxide poisoning, improving both performance and long-term stability.
The researchers identified an optimum composition containing 10 wt % exfoliated graphite, which showed the best results in terms of efficiency and durability. The findings of the study have been published in the journal ACS Sustainable Resource Management.
The work highlights how recycled battery materials can find a second use in clean energy technologies. The approach could support sustainable battery recycling, reduce dependence on expensive catalyst materials, and contribute to the development of more efficient fuel cells with lower environmental impact.
Source: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India
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