Abstract: The recycling of LiCoO₂ cathode materials from spent lithium ion batteries was studied.A corresponding process was proposed.Propylene carbonate was used as the solvent to recycle electrolyte.NMP was used as the solvent to separate the active materials from current collectors at 70 ℃.Carbon powder was removed by heat-treatment. Cobalt compounds were dissolved by HCl solution and recycled as Co(OH)₂. The recycled Co(OH)₂ was used as the starting material to synthesize LiCoO₂.The net recovery of cobalt was more than 99%.The analytical results of recycled LiCoO₂ showed that the recycling process was practical.