Mechanical processing and chemical leaching in the recovery of valuable elements from spent lithium batteries

Ramirez-Quintero, Deyber Alexander; Pimentel, Marcos Batista Cotovia; Eleutério Filho, Sebastião; Oliveira, Carlos Roberto Mendes de

doi:10.1590/1809-4422asoc00201vu27L4OA

home Sumário navigate_before Anterior Atual Seguinte navigate_next

home Sumário

Original Article • Ambient. soc. 27 • 2024 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4422asoc00201vu27L4OA linkcopy

Mechanical processing and chemical leaching in the recovery of valuable elements from spent lithium batteries

Processamento mecânico e lixiviação química na recuperação de elementos valiosos de baterias de lítio

Procesamiento mecánico y lixiviación química en la recuperación de elementos valiosos de baterías de litio

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

The implementation of Brazil’s Reverse Logistics System, regulated by decree 10,240/2020, encounters significant environmental and technological challenges in post-consumer electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) collection and treatment. To address the adverse impacts of e-waste on the environment and human health, it is necessary to develop sustainable technologies. This includes creating technological routes to reuse valuable materials from e-waste, supporting circular economy principles, and fostering socioeconomic development. Specifically, the rising disposal of lithium batteries requires efficient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly recycling methods. This review explores the establishment of a technological route to recover valuable elements from spent lithium batteries. It emphasizes physical processing without thermal treatment and hydrometallurgical methods involving both inorganic and organic leachants. The aim is to facilitate the adoption of these methods in the country’s industrial sector.

Keywords:
Reverse Logistics System; Lithium Batteries; Mechanical processing; Electrical-Electronic Waste; Leaching process

Structural Component	Chemical Composition	Hazardous Effects
Anode	Copper (metal foil)	Gastrointestinal problems
	Grafite	It irritates the eyes and mucous membranes
Cathode Oxide	Aluminum (metal foil)	Lung damage
	Cobalt Oxide	Respiratory effects, congestion, edema, and lung hemorrhage
	Manganese Oxide (VI)	Lung damage
	Nickel Oxide	Skin carcinogenesis
	Lithium	Non-hazardous if ingested
Electrolyte	LiPF₆	Toxic smoke during heating/burning
Binders	Polypropylene	Vapors when burned (mucous irritation)
Binders	Polyvinylidene fluoride	Toxic when inhaled; Toxic smoke during heating

Author	Battery type	Perfo-ration in battery	Subs-tances used	Initial voltage	Final voltage	Concen-tration (wt%)	Time
Lu et al., 2013	Coin CR2025	Yes	NaCl	60% charge, ≈3,85 V	≈0.5 V	1.5 e 10	1% →70 min 5% → 25 min 10% → 10 min
Li et al., 2016	18650 (typical laptop batteries)	No	NaCl	-	-	5.10 e 20	5%→358 min→65,0% (max 73.6%) 10%→358 min→72.0% (max 75.6%) 20%→358 min→71,4% (max 76.8%) max 1460 min (24 h)
Shaw-Stewart et al., 2019	18.650	No	HCO₃ HPO₄ NH₄HCO₃ H₂PO₄ NaNO₂	4.2 V	Between 2 e 3 V	5	1440 min (24 h)

Components	Percentages (w/w)
Cathode + Anode + Electrolyte*	40.0%
External plastic casing	23.0%
Steel shielding	10.5%
Non-aqueous solvent	4.5%
Copper foil	8.2%
Aluminum foil	6.1%
Polymeric separator	5.1%
Electrical contacts	2.6%

Inorganic Acids				Organic Acids
Substance	Reference	Concen-tration	Efficiency (%)	Substance	References	Concen-tration	Efficiency (%)
Hydrochloric Acid	Wang et al. (2009);	4 M	Co: 97-99 Li: 97-98 Mn: 98-99 Ni: 97-99	Citric Acid	Fan et al. (2016);	1.25 M	Co: 90-97 Li: 89-100 Mn: 28-98 Ni: ≈93
	Shuva and Kurny (2013);	3 M
	Guzolu et al. (2016);	5 M			Zheng et al. (2016)	4 M
	Silva et al. (2018).	12 M
Nitric Acid	Lee and Rhee (2002);	1 M	Co: 50-95 Li: 80-95 Mn: ≈20 Ni: ≈40	Oxalic Acid	Sun and Qiu (2012);	2 M	Co: 97-98 Li: ≈98
	Castillo et al. (2012).	2 M	Co: 50-95 Li: 80-95 Mn: ≈20 Ni: ≈40		Zeng et al. (2015)	15 g/L	Co: 97-98 Li: ≈98
Sulfuric Acid	Chen and Ho (2018);	2 M	Co: 66-98 Li: 90-99 Mn: 50-98 Ni: 96-98	Malic Acid	Li et al. (2010a);	1.5 M	Co: 46-98 Li: 82-99 Mn: ≈99 Ni: ≈99
	Meshram, Pandey, Mankhand (2015);	1 M
	Silva et al., (2018);	9 M			Sun et al. (2017).	1.2 M
	Zhu et al. (2012).	2 M
Hydrofluoric Acid	Silva et al. (2018).	20 M	Co: ≈98 Li: 80-97	Tartaric Acid	Cheng (2018);	1 M	Co: 46.6-99.31 Li: 82.7-99.07 Mn: 99,3 Ni: 99.31
Formic Acid	Silva et al. (2018).	10 M	Co: ≈85 Li: ≈83		He et al. (2017).	2 M	Co: 46.6-99.31 Li: 82.7-99.07 Mn: 99,3 Ni: 99.31

vertical_align_top show_chart

more_horiz close
- image
- translate
- link
- article
- vertical_align_top
- file_download
- show_chart
- image
- translate
- link
- article

location_on

ANPPAS - Revista Ambiente e Sociedade Anppas / Revista Ambiente e Sociedade - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistaambienteesociedade@gmail.com

rss_feed Acompanhe os números deste periódico no seu leitor de RSS

[TFN1] Font: Adapted from Meshram et al., 2020.