Quick-Release Binder

Chen Fang holds a vial (left) containing a current collector copper foil from a battery that has been completely freed of valuable electrode components after the Quick-Release Binder dissolved, and another vial (right) where the binder is actively dissolving in alkaline water. In comparison, conventional binders strongly bind electrode materials onto current collectors like a glue, which makes separation and thus recycling of battery electrode materials difficult. (Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab)
A material that will make it simple and economical to recycle a wide range of batteries