Hemijska industrija 2024 OnLine-First Issue 00, Pages: 27-27
https://doi.org/10.2298/HEMIND230521027M
Full text ( 695 KB)
Cobalt recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries by leaching in H2SO4-N2 and H2SO4-O2 systems followed by electrochemical deposition
Medić Dragana V. (University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia)
Tasić Žaklina Z. (University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia)
Nujkić Maja M. (University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia)
Dimitrijević Silvana B. (Mining and Metallurgy Institute, Bor, Serbia)
Đorđievski Stefan S. (Mining and Metallurgy Institute, Bor, Serbia)
Alagić Slađana Č. (University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia)
Milić Snežana M. (University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty in Bor, Bor, Serbia)
This paper is focused on cobalt valorization from the cathode material of
spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by using leaching and electrochemical
deposition methods. During the leaching experiments, the degrees of cathode
material dissolution in H2SO4-N2 and H2SO4-O2 systems were compared. Maximal
degrees of cobalt extraction were 40 % in the former and 47 % in the latter
system under following experimental conditions: H2SO4 concentration of 2 mol
dm-3, nitrogen/oxygen volumetric flow of 2 L min-1, solid phase
concentration of 33 g L-1, and temperature of 85°C. The rate of cobalt
extraction from the cathode material in both investigated systems was the
most favorable in the first 15 min, after which there was a sudden decrease
in the reaction rate. Cobalt from the leaching solution was deposited on a
copper substrate by galvanostatic electrochemical deposition with a current
efficiency of 84%. The energy consumption was 5.8 kWh kg-1 of deposited Co.
The cyclic voltammetry (CV) method was used to determine the potential of
cobalt deposition, as well as side reactions taking place in the system.
Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry has shown
that during the process of electrochemical deposition agglomeration of
cobalt particles occurred (in the shape of cauliflower), while the metal was
deposited in its elemental state, which was also confirmed by the results of
X-ray diffraction analysis.
Keywords: Cathode material, acid leaching, lithium-cobalt oxide, recycling, metal coating
Project of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation, Republic of Serbia, Grant no. 451-03-47/2023-01/200131 and Grant no. 451-03-47/2023-01/200052