Efficient and selective recovery of spent NCM cathode materials: a green deep eutectic solvent process via synergistic acidity–viscosity regulation

TL-DES leaches >95% NCM metals at 100 °C. Ethanol precipitates Ni/Co fully, Mn 60%, leaves Li + , forming LDH precursor. LCA: 0.52 kg CO 2 eq kg −1 , 7.22 MJ kg −1 .