UC San Diego researchers develop eco-friendly battery binder

Researchers at the University of California San Diego, in collaboration with the Toyota Research Institute of North America, have developed a new fluorine-free binder that could simplify the manufacturing and recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

Traditional binders often contain fluorine and require toxic solvents for processing, which complicates recycling and increases environmental impact. The new binder is water-based, allowing it to be dissolved with water to separate it from electrodes during the recycling process. This approach aims to reduce energy use, waste, and the reliance on toxic ingredients.

In performance tests, the new material held up against conventional binders, maintaining stability over hundreds to thousands of charge cycles. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications on October 9, 2026.