Researchers at Linnaeus University in Sweden are using urine to recover cobalt from spent batteries. They claim its use as a solvent can make a huge difference in the recycling process.
The R&D team reports it has successfully extracted 97% of cobalt from used lithium-ion batteries. The main ingredient in the process is derived from a combination of urine and acetic acid. Both are readily available substances.
Greener industry
Project lead and chemistry professor Ian Nicholls is confident there is ‘good potential for large-scale application’. This could help realise a greener battery industry while cutting energy costs and phasing out hazardous substances.
Nicholls explains that the new approach dissolves the lithium cobalt oxide to separate out the cobalt. The most efficient temperature of 180 degrees Celsius is lower than normal for cobalt recovery.
Extreme temperatures required
‘Our method is much more energy efficient than today’s commercial options, such as pyrometallurgy,’ he notes. ‘This requires extreme temperatures, often exceeding 1 400 degrees.’
Linnaeus University has been researching alternative and biological solvents since 2013. The researchers are finetuning their work to help create batteries made with recycled cobalt.
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