Synergistic Aqueous Biphasic Systems: A New Paradigm for the "One-Pot" Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Critical Metals

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Schaeffer, N (Author) Other; Gras, M (Author) Other; Passos, H (Author) Other; Mogilireddy, V (Author) Other; Mendonca, CMN (Author) Other; Pereira, E (Author) Other; Chainet, E (Author) Other; Billard, I (Author) Other; Coutinho, JAP (Author) Other; Papaiconomou, N (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING

Vol. 7

Pages: 1769-1777

ISSN: 2168-0485

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-3RP

DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b05754

Abstract (EN): An acidic aqueous biphasic system (AcABS), in which the inorganic salt component of a traditional aqueous biphasic system (ABS) is replaced by the inorganic acid inherently present in typical hydrometallurgical leachate solution, is shown to selectively separate cobalt from nickel, a separation relevant to the recycling of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. To overcome the limitation of electrodeposition in the presence of high acid concentration, a mixed ABS- AcABS approach is developed in which HCl is partially substituted by addition of a predictable amount of NaCl. This synergistic ABS-AcABS retains the metal extraction efficiency of AcABS while diminishing the acid concentration required to induce phase separation as well as its distribution to the ionic-liquid-rich phase. Selective deposition of cobalt in the presence of coextracted manganese impurities was achieved in AcABS, ABS, and ABS-AcABSs. The morphology and composition of the obtained deposits as well as the Faradaic efficiency of the process can be altered by varying the NaCl to HCl ratio and water content, resulting in highly tailored cobalt deposits. These results highlight the potential of AcABS-derived systems as a new extraction-separation platform for the integrated hydrometallurgical treatment of critical metals, from leaching to electrodeposition.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17