Metal recovery from spent Li-ion alkaline and Zn/C batteries

CARLA MARCOCCIA; MARIA VICTORIA GALLEGOS; MIGUEL A PELUSO; JORGE SAMBETH; HORACIO J THOMAS

Congreso; 6th International Conference on Science and Technology of Composite Materials; 2015

Manganese and zinc were recovered from spent alkaline and zinc?carbon batteries, and cobalt and lithium were recoveredfrom spent Li-ion batteries, employing a biohydrometallurgy process. Batteries were cut and separate component and apowder containing metals were subjected to a leaching test using a bio-generated sulfuric acid produced in an air-lift bioreactor.After completion of the leaching stage the dissolved metals are recovered by chemical precipitation. Precipitation withKMnO4 recovers 90% of Mn in solution, and produces an oxide identified as α MnO2. The later addition of Na2CO3precipitates ZnCO3. After calcination, a ZnO phase with wurtzite structure was formed. In Li-ion batteries, cobalt is recoveredas CoC2O4, and after being calcined at 500 °C generates Co3O4. The lithium is recovered in the form of Li2CO3. The resultsshow that MnOx and Co3O4 have an interesting performance as catalysts for elimination of VOCs.