A European research consortium led by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is developing a new class of battery anode material that blends recycled silicon with tin sulphide to boost energy density and improve sustainability in next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
The RESTINA project—short for Recovered Silicon / Tin Sulphide Nanocomposite Anode Materials for Generation 3b Lithium Ion Batteries—seeks to create an anode material that combines the high specific capacity of silicon with the strong electrical conductivity of tin compounds. The goal is to achieve higher energy density, improved cell chemistry, and longer cycle life compared to current electric vehicle batteries.
“In battery research, we are faced with the challenge of bringing together material performance, industrial feasibility, and environmental responsibility,” said Dr. Damian Cupid, senior scientist at AIT and project manager of RESTINA. “We combine recycled silicon with innovative materials chemistry and sustainable processing to develop a new class of high-performance anode materials for future battery generations.”
The project is using recycled silicon sourced from retired photovoltaic modules and combining it with tin sulphide (SnS₂) in nanocomposite form. During battery charging, heterostructures at the interface of the anode particles are expected to cushion mechanical stress caused by volume changes, reducing issues such as particle breakage and instability of the solid electrolyte interface layer—key challenges in conventional silicon-based anodes.
Two scalable manufacturing methods are being explored: a solvothermal process using environmentally friendly solvents and high-energy ball milling. Researchers also plan to add carbon-based protective coatings to stabilise the particle surfaces, allowing safe handling in air and enabling water-based electrode processing—steps that improve safety and recyclability.
The RESTINA team, which also includes Frimeco Produktions GmbH, the University of Vienna, and the University of Liège, aims to scale up production to industry-compatible levels and integrate the new anode material with nickel-rich cathodes to build generation 3b pouch cells with capacities of 2 to 5 Ah. Alongside production, researchers are investigating electrochemical ageing mechanisms to improve long-term stability.
According to AIT, the project’s integrated approach—from recycled material sourcing to scalable production—illustrates how targeted materials research can advance both technological performance and environmental sustainability in the battery industry.