Amino Acid Leaching of Critical Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Followed by Selective Recovery of Cobalt Using Aqueous Biphasic System

Abstract

In this study, we have successfully developed an eco-friendly process to integrate the leaching and separation of cobalt (Co) from a spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode using an amino acid-based aqueous biphasic system (ABS). We, for the first time, demonstrated a simple method for leaching a LIB cathode using only amino acids. In addition, we have investigated the leaching mechanism using the typical cathode active material lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ). Then, the Co was selectively extracted by a biphasic system (amino acid− PPG400−H 2 O). This novel process has an excellent prospect in the field of spent-battery recycling because of its eco-friendly and processsimplified advantages.

Versatile Protein and Its Subunit Biomolecules for Advanced Rechargeable Batteries

“…studied the leaching effects of Co by using different types of amino acids alone in a biocompatible aqueous biphasic system (Figure 12d). [ 168 ] As shown in Figure 12e, serine and glycine exhibited the highest leaching efficiency toward Co and Li. To disclose the key functional groups, H─Gly─OEt·HCl and Gly, Ac─Gly─OH were selected as leaching agents to check whether the ─COOH group or the ─NH─ group really matters for the leaching process, and it is the ─COOH group that plays a significant role (Figure 12f).…”

“…f) LiCoO 2 leaching efficiency using various leaching agents based on Gly-backbone. Reproduced with permission [168]. Copyright 2023, American Chemical Society.…”

Recycling of metals from LiFePO4 battery cathode material by using ionic liquid based-aqueous biphasic systems

“…The ionic liquid tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride, [P 44414 ]Cl, was selected, because it has been employed in various ABS systems for extraction of metals. 24,27,28,31 Two salting-out agents selected in this study were HCl and NaCl.…”

Green Aqueous Two-Phase Systems Constructed by Guanidinium Ionic Liquid for Efficient Recovery of Gold(I) from Thiosulfate Solution

“…In recent years, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) have gained significant attention as an innovative alternative to conventional extraction methods. 40,41 ATPSs are typically formed spontaneously from aqueous solutions of two incompatible compounds, such as polymer and polymer, polymer and salt, or IL and salt. The two phases are mainly composed of water, and no volatile organic solvents are used throughout the extraction process, thus overcoming the problem of involving large amounts of toxic and flammable organic solvents for conventional solvent extraction.…”