RECYCLING AND REGENERATION OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERY CATHODES

A method for regeneration of spent cathode material of lithium-ion batteries involves lithiating the cathode material in a relithiation solution including a reducing agent at a temperature in the range of 60° C. to 180° C. for a sufficient time to heal composition defects in the cathode material. The lithiated material is then sintered to completely recover the properties. The relithiation solution may be a Li-ion source combined with nature-based organic reducing agent such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, or similar.