EARTH

[2901-14-05] Recovery of valuable metals from lithium-ion batteries cathode material by leaching and solvent extraction

○Hsing-Jung Ho¹, Wei-Sheng Chen¹, Wen-Yu Wang² (1. National Cheng Kung University, 2. Chaoyang University of Technology)

Chairman：Toshihiro Kamegai （JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation）, Wei Sheng Chen (National Cheng Kung University)

Keywords:Lithium-ion battery cathode material, Solvent extraction, Leaching, Hydrometallurgy, Separation technology

With the use and application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are increasing constantly and widely, the wastes and adverse influence are generated and cause the environmental pollution. In recent years, the research about recovery of LIBs mainly focus on lithium cobalt oxide batteries and lithium manganese oxide batteries. However, those types of batteries are gradually replaced by lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries (NMC batteries). In this study, we will concentrate on dealing with waste cathode material produced during the manufacture of NMC batteries. The hydrometallurgical process will be used to recovery of valuable metals in LIBs. In leaching step, the effects of H₂SO₄ concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, leaching time, liquid-solid mass ratio and reaction temperature with leaching percentage are investigated. After leaching process is completed, the solvent extraction process, which is carried out using Cyanex 272 diluted with kerosene will separate cobalt, manganese, nickel and lithium. The factors affecting the extraction process are the effect of equilibrium pH and extractant concentration, O/A ratio, temperature. Finally, stripping of cobalt and manganese will be achieved by sulfuric acid.