Recovery and application of magnetic nanosized sorbents from waste lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The secondary pollution from hydrometallurgical recycling of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) is a concern affecting the process sustainability. This study explores the reuse of two LIB processing streams (iron-sludge and Mn-stripping effluent) to produce magnetic nanosized sorbents. A surfactant-autoclave synthesis was carried out to obtain CuFe2O4 (15 nm) from synthetic precursors, and Cu(0.48)Co(0.40)Mn(0.10)Ni(0.02)Fe2O4 (12 nm) from iron-sludge. Both products exhibited crystallite size less than 20 nm and a narrow size distribution. These materials were used for sorption tests on synthetic solutions and pretreated Mn-stripping effluent. Mn preferential sorption (≈ 16 mg/g) versus Co, Li and Na was noticed. Mn and Co removal from pretreated effluent increased using the recycled material (Mn 100%, Co 70%) rather than CuFe2O4 (Mn 91%, Co 59%). Furthermore, single-phase nanocrystalline Mn(0.63)Co(0.35)Ni(0.02)Fe2O4 ferrites were entirely resynthesized from the two LIB streams by an ultrasound-surfactant-microwave treatment. A broader crystallite size distribution was achieved, compared to autoclave materials. When dried at 100 °C sizes ranged up to 57 nm, while sintering at 700 °C to 98 nm. Distinct physical-and chemical properties (i.e. magnetization, porosity, sizes) were studied to assess either the effect of the advanced hydrothermal routes and of the starting materials on the final products.

Circular solar: Evaluating the profitability of a photovoltaic panel recycling plant

“…PV small plants to power mini-grids is an efficient way to bring electricity access to people living far from power transmission networks, particularly in developing countries with excellent solar irradiation (IRENA, 2020). Hence, accumulators are required to store the energy that can be used when solar light is unavailable; for this purpose, Li-ion accumulators can undoubtedly be used, even those replaced for heavy-duty applications, before the final recovery of the metals contained therein (Abo Atia et al, 2020; Granata et al, 2012; Pagnanelli et al, 2014).…”