Recycling cobalt from used Li-ion cell (Lithium Cobalt Oxide-LCO) by using succinic acid
摘要
The growing demand for sustainable recycling solutions becomes increasingly critical in light of the rapid expansion of lithium-ion battery applications, projected to reach nearly 2600 GW/h by 2030. The primary aim of this study is to recover cobalt from spent and end-of-life lithium-ion (LiCoO₂) cathodes using a hydrometallurgical acid leaching process with succinic acid. Additionally, the study seeks to develop a novel and environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical technique. The primary objective of this study is to achieve the highest possible efficiency in cobalt recovery. Key parameters influencing the hydrometallurgical leaching process—such as the concentration of the reducing agent (NaHSO₃), succinic acid concentration, reaction time, and solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L) were systematically investigated. The optimal leaching conditions were identified as follows: 70 °C, 100 min, 1.5 M C₄H₆O₄, 5 g/L S/L ratio, and 1.5% (v/v) NaHSO₃ as the reducing agent. To interpret the results effectively, several characterization techniques were employed, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). This study not only highlights the importance of sustainability in energy solutions but also demonstrates the promising economic potential of clean-energy-based hydrometallurgical recycling processes for cobalt recovery.