RECOVERY OF MATERIALS FROM SPENT BATTERIES USING A GREEN SOLVENT

A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode that includes an electrode material adhered to a current collector. The isolated composite electrode is combined with a citrate-based solvent to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.