Metal Recovery From Spent Laptop Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes Through Spent Medium Bioleaching With Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans

The extensive utilization of lithium-ion batteries in electronic gadgets, coupled with their limited lifespan, has generated substantial waste. Disposal of end-of-life batteries not only contributes to environmental contamination but also entails the loss of valuable metals. The research explored the potential of bioleaching as an eco-friendly method for detoxifying and reclaiming valuable metals from spent laptop lithium-ion battery cathodes. Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans was utilized to produce biological sulfuric acid by oxidizing elemental sulfur. Initial experiments involved varying sulfur concentrations (۵, ۱۰, and ۱۵ g/l) to generate metabolites with sulfate concentrations of ۱۱, ۲۳, and ۳۷ g/l. These metabolites were then used in spent medium bioleaching experiments conducted at a pulp density of ۵۰ g/l for ۷ days at ۶۰°C. According to the results, the metabolite with the higher sulfate concentration obtained the highest recovery of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Under these conditions, the recovery of mentioned metals was ۸۶.۱, ۴۷.۸, ۵۲.۸, and ۵۸.۲ %, respectively. Stabilized pH and Eh in the bioleaching solution after ۲۴ hours enabled shortening bioleaching to ۱ day from ۷. Extending beyond one day had no notable effect on metal recovery from the spent laptop lithium-ion battery cathodes.

Keywords:

Spent laptop lithium-ion battery cathodes , Indirect bioleaching , Acidithiobacillus thiooxidan , Biogenic sulfuric acid , Metal recovery