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Niu B, E S, Song Q, Xu Z, Han B, Qin Y. Physicochemical reactions in e-waste recycling. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:569-586. [PMID: 38862738 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-024-00616-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is becoming a global concern owing to its immense quantity, hazardous character and the potential loss of valuable metals. The many processes involved in e-waste recycling stem from a mixture of physicochemical reactions, and understanding the principles of these reactions can lead to more efficient recycling methods. In this Review, we discuss the principles behind photochemistry, thermochemistry, mechanochemistry, electrochemistry and sonochemistry for metal recovery, polymer decomposition and pollutant elimination from e-waste. We also discuss how these processes induce or improve reaction rates, selectivity and controllability of e-waste recycling based on thermodynamics and kinetics, free radicals, chemical bond energy, electrical potential regulation and more. Lastly, key factors, limitations and suggestions for improvements of these physicochemical reactions for e-waste recycling are highlighted, wherein we also indicate possible research directions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Niu
- Key Laboratory of Farmland Ecological Environment of Hebei Province, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China.
| | - Shanshan E
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Qingming Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bing Han
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yufei Qin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Jiangxi Green Recycling Co., Ltd, Fengcheng, China
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2
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Liao X, Ye M, Liang J, Jian J, Li S, Gan Q, Liu Z, Mo Z, Huang Y, Sun S. Comprehensive insights into the gallic acid assisted bioleaching process for spent LIBs: Relationships among bacterial functional genes, Co(III) reduction and metal dissolution behavior. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130773. [PMID: 36641848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing demand for resource recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by bioleaching, low Co leaching efficiency has hindered the development and application of this technology. Therefore, a novel process was designed, combining gallic acid (GA) and mixed culture bioleaching (MCB), to enhance the removal of metals from spent LIBs. Results indicated that the GA + MCB process achieved 98.03% Co and 98.02% Li leaching from spent LIBs, simultaneously reducing the biotoxicity, phytotoxicity and leaching toxicity of spent LIBs under optimal conditions. The results of mechanism analysis demonstrated that functional microorganisms adapted to the leaching system through various strategies, including oxidative stress reduction, DNA damage repair, heavy metal resistance and biofilm formation, maintaining normal physiological activities and the continuous production of biological acid. The biological acid erodes the surface of waste LIBs, causing some Co and a large amount of Li to be released, while also increasing the contact area between GA and Co(III). Therefore, GA is beneficial for reducing insoluble Co(III), forming soluble Co(II). Finally, biological acid can effectively promote Co(II) leaching. Collectively, the results of this study provide valuable insight into the simultaneous enhancement of metal extraction and the mitigation of environmental pollution from spent LIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Liao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Maoyou Ye
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Jialin Liang
- College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Jianxiong Jian
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shoupeng Li
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qiaowei Gan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zihang Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhihua Mo
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuiyu Sun
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Foshan 528216, China.
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3
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Wang H, Cao L, Wang M, Liu B, Deng L, Li G, Cheng YJ, Gao J, Xia Y. Green and Low-Cost Approach for Recovering Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries. Ind Eng Chem Res 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c02802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province310023, People’s Republic of China
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Longhao Cao
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province310023, People’s Republic of China
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Longping Deng
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guohua Li
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province310023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ya-Jun Cheng
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Gao
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yonggao Xia
- Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Zhenhai District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province315201, People’s Republic of China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Rd, Shijingshan District, Beijing100049, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Liu C, Ji H, Liu J, Liu P, Zeng G, Luo X, Guan Q, Mi X, Li Y, Zhang J, Tong Y, Wang Z, Wu S. An emission-free controlled potassium pyrosulfate roasting-assisted leaching process for selective lithium recycling from spent Li-ion batteries. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 153:52-60. [PMID: 36049272 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Recycling critical metals from spent Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is important for the overall sustainability of future batteries. This study reports an improved sulfation roasting technology to efficiently recycle Li and Co from spent LiCoO2 LIBs using potassium pyrosulfate as sulfurizing reagent. By sulfation roasting, LiCoO2 was converted into water-soluble lithium potassium sulfate and water-insoluble cobalt oxide. Under optimal conditions, 98.51% Li was leached in water, with a selectivity of 99.86%. More importantly, sulfur can be recirculated thoroughly, and the sulfur atomic efficiency can be significantly enhanced by controlling the amount of potassium pyrosulfate. Li ions from the water leaching process were recovered by chemical precipitation. Furthermore, application of this technology to other spent LIBs, such as LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2, verified its effectiveness for selective recovery Li. These findings can provide some inspiration for high efficiency and environmentally friendly recovery metal from spent LIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Haiyan Ji
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Guisheng Zeng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China.
| | - Xubiao Luo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Qian Guan
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Xue Mi
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Yingpeng Li
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Jiefei Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Yongfen Tong
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Zhongbing Wang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
| | - Shaolin Wu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Heavy Metals Pollutants Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063, PR China
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5
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Zhu X, Mao Q, Zhong Q, Zhang Z, Wang G, Tang L, Xiao J. A Novel Low-Temperature Fluorination Roasting Mechanism Investigation of Regenerated Spent Anode Graphite via TG-IR Analysis and Kinetic Modeling. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:11101-11113. [PMID: 35415317 PMCID: PMC8991904 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Spent anode graphite, a hazardous solid waste discarded from the recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), had created social and environmental issues but has been scarcely investigated. Thus, a feasible, environmentally friendly, and economical process of low-temperature fluorination roasting and water leaching technology was proposed to regenerate spent graphite anodes. The results showed that the physical and chemical properties of regenerated graphite with a purity of 99.98% reached the graphite anode standard of LIBs and exhibited a stable specific capacity (340.9 mAh/g), capacity retention (68.92% after 470th cycles), and high initial Coulombic efficiency (92.13%), much better than that of waste carbon residue and similar to that of commercial graphite. Then the reaction mechanism and kinetic modeling of fluorination roasting of spent anode material was mainly explored by differential thermogravimetry and nonisothermal analysis methods. The results showed that the complexation and phase-transformation process of non-carbon valuable components in spent anode graphite occurred through three consecutive reactions in the 80-211 °C temperature intervals. The reaction mechanism of the whole process can be kinetically characterized by three successive reactions: third-order chemical reaction, Z-L-T eq, and second-order chemical reaction. Moreover, the thermodynamic functions of the fluorination roasting were calculated by the activated complex theory (transition state), which indicated the process was nonspontaneous. The mechanistic information was in good agreement with thermogravimetric-infrared spectroscopy (TG-IR), electron probe microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, and simulation experiments results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Zhu
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qiuyun Mao
- Department
of Educational Science, Hunan First Normal
University, 1015 Fenglin Road (the third), Changsha 410205, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qifan Zhong
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
| | - Gang Wang
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lei Tang
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jin Xiao
- School
of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South
University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha 410083, Hunan Province, China
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Abstract
With the rapid development of the electric vehicle industry in recent years, the use of lithium batteries is growing rapidly. From 2015 to 2040, the production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles could reach 0.33 to 4 million tons. It is predicted that a total of 21 million end-of-life lithium battery packs will be generated between 2015 and 2040. Spent lithium batteries can cause pollution to the soil and seriously threaten the safety and property of people. They contain valuable metals, such as cobalt and lithium, which are nonrenewable resources, and their recycling and treatment have important economic, strategic, and environmental benefits. Estimations show that the weight of spent electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries will reach 500,000 tons in 2020. Methods for safely and effectively recycling lithium batteries to ensure they provide a boost to economic development have been widely investigated. This paper summarizes the recycling technologies for lithium batteries discussed in recent years, such as pyrometallurgy, acid leaching, solvent extraction, electrochemical methods, chlorination technology, ammoniation technology, and combined recycling, and presents some views on the future research direction of lithium batteries.
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7
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Xiao J, Niu B, Xu Z. Highly efficient selective recovery of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries by thermal reduction with cheap ammonia reagent. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 418:126319. [PMID: 34329006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of new energy technology leads to explosive growth of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) industry which greatly alleviates the problems of environmental pollution and energy shortage. However, how to realize resource circulation of critical metals including lithium (Li) and cobalt (Co) becomes the new problem of LIBs industry. This paper proposes an improved thermal reduction technology to efficiently recycle Li and Co from spent LIBs, where cheap urea is applied as the only additive to provide ammonia (NH3). By thermal reduction, LiCoO2 was thermally reduced into water-soluble lithium carbonate and water-insoluble cobalt metal Under the optimal conditions, 99.96% Li with nearly 100% selectivity was obtained by water leaching. More importantly, the concept of "oxygen elements removal (OER)" was proposed to explain the metal extraction from spent LIBs, which could help to describe the reaction mechanism as O-cage digestion mechanism. Furthermore, metal extraction from spent LIBs was re-understood as "seeking an applicable reductant", which provided a fresh perspective for understanding Li selective recovery. These concepts and findings can provide some inspiration for metal recovery from spent LIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiefeng Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Niu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenming Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China.
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