Abstract
The widespread use of lithium-ion batteries has resulted in an increased demand for critical minerals, accentuating the need for efficient and green processes for both ore extraction and LIB recycling. Conventional hydrometallurgical leaching to extract and isolate elements from mineral ores or LIB waste leverages strong acids (e.g., sulfuric or hydrochloric) in tandem with a reducing agent (e.g., peroxide or sulfide). A composition of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, colloquially known as piranha, is utilized at elevated temperature and pressure conditions to achieve fast leaching kinetics. However, the production, transportation, and integration of concentrated hydrogen peroxide streams are carbon intensive processes and pose significant health and environmental risks. In this work, hydrogen peroxide is generated electrochemically in situ during leaching through an electro-Fenton-like process. Pb/PbO symmetric electrodes uniquely electrolyze water, producing hydrogen peroxide and OH· radicals., therefore accelerate the leaching of the input material. Mechanical shedding of the electrodes is also prevented from the redox couples commonly found in battery/ore materials (Ni3+/Ni4+. Fe2+/Fe3+) even in the presence of high solid concentrations >50 g/L. Ultimately, in situ generation of peroxide enables radically lower reactor capex and safer, simpler leaching operations.
Published Version
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