The recycling of LiCoO2 cathode materials from spent li thium ion batteries was studied.A corresponding process was proposed.Propylene c arbonate was used as the solvent to recycle electrolyte.NMP was used as the solv ent to separate the active materials from current collectors at 70 ℃.Carbon pow der was removed by heat-treatment. Cobalt compounds were dissolved by HCl solu tion and recycled as Co(OH)2. The recycled Co(OH)2 was used as t he starting material to synthesize LiCoO2.The net recovery of cobalt was more than 99%.The analytical results of recycled LiCoO2 showed that the recycling p rocess was practical.