Green Science Alliance has developed a procedure to extract rare metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese from cathode and black mass of lithium ion batteries with their original natural deep eutectic solvent.
Rare Metal Extraction from Lithium Ion Battery Waste (Black Mass) and Cathode Materials
Rechargeable batteries are extremely important technologies in order to establish a carbon neutral, sustainable society. The typical rechargeable battery is the lithium ion batteries and their production quantity is rapidly increasing as demand for EV, mobile phone, electronic devices and stationery batteries is on the rise. Lithium ion batteries contain various types of rare metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese especially in their cathode materials and it is predicted that the value for these metals will continue to rise. Therefore, it is very important to recycle those precious metals.
The recycle system for lead acid batteries as conventional rechargeable batteries is already established although the recycle system for lithium ion batteries is not sufficient enough in terms of its efficiency, safety, and its recycle cost.
The current lithium ion battery recycling system includes the usage of toxic inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid or strong organic solvent which are very harmful to the environment. In addition, some chemical process includes high temperature condition and emit toxic corrosive vapors which is very dangerous to factory operators.
The current lithium ion battery recycling system includes the usage of toxic inorganic acid such as sulfuric acid or strong organic solvent which are very harmful to the environment. In addition, some chemical processes include high temperature conditions and emit toxic corrosive vapors which is very dangerous to factory operators.
