Separation of cobalt and lithium from spent LiCoO2 batteries using zeolite NaA and the resulting ion exchange product for N2/O2 separation

•The Co2+/Li+ separation can be achieved by zeolite ion exchange method.•NaA zeolite reached > 95% Co2+ removal, while Li+ ions were hardly exchanged.•The zeolite product (CoNaA) has an excellent N2/O2 separation capability.•Reflecting the “garbage-to-treasure” strategy of recycling spent LiCoO2 batteries.