Nickel Matte Research Articles

Leaching kinetics of low nickel matte in an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid saturated with FeSO4 and NiSO4

In the previous study of our group, the low nickel matte was leached directly using H2SO4 under atmospheric pressure. As long as the acidity of the solution was high enough, the high-efficiency leaching of iron, cobalt and nickel can be realized. Moreover, the cuprous sulfide and precious metals cannot be decomposed by H2SO4 and were enriched in the leach residue. Due to the high concentration acid used in the leaching process of low nickel matte, the residual acid in leaching solution may need to be neutralized firstly before the subsequent metal separation. However, a lot of alkali will be consumed, resulting in the formation of harmful inorganic salts. In the experiments, we found that sulfate in the leaching solution could reach saturated and continuously crystallized out under the condition of high concentration of sulfuric acid. Based on the above considerations, the crystallization method may be a choice. Upon combination of the leaching and crystallization process, a new way to extract valuable metals and effectively recycle the sulfuric acid was proposed. However, the dissolution of low nickel matte will be also affected when the solution is saturated. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the leaching behavior of low nickel matte in the presence of solutions saturated with sulfate. In this study, the leaching kinetics of low nickel matte in H2SO4 solutions saturated with FeSO4 and NiSO4 was investigated. Kinetic data of the dissolution of nickel for various parameters showed best fit to the kinetic model governed by diffusion in the inert porous media. The results shown that the reaction order of H2SO4 was 3.02 and the activation energy of the system was found to be approximately 48.7 kJ·mol−1. Compared with sulfuric acid leaching, the reaction order of this study increased greatly, which indicated that the influence of acid concentration on leaching process increased. In addition, the decrease of activation energy showed that the oversaturated sulfate solution leaching process was consistent with the internal diffusion control, which may be because the existence of crystal had an effect on the diffusion of H+ ions in pores.

Recovery of platinum-group metals from spent catalysts by microwave smelting

The feasibility of a facile route to recover platinum-group metals (PGMs) from spent catalyst by microwave smelting of spent catalyst with the additions of nickel matte as metal collector and sodium salts as fluxes was verified, based on the thermodynamic and experimental analyses which evaluated the dielectric properties, conductivities/resistances and viscosities of the materials involved in the smelting process. The results showed that the combined use of sodium salts reduced the viscosity and smelting temperature effectively by breaking the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron structure which facilitated the collection of PGMs and the separation of PGMs-enriched nickel matte from smelting slag. In association with the eddy current loss and swirling sedimentation effect produced by microwave heating, 98.59% of Pt, 97.91% of Pd and 97.16% of Rh were collected under the optimal smelting conditions of the mass ratios of nickel matte, Na2B4O7 and Na2CO3 to spent catalyst of 1.25, 0.575 and 0.125, respectively, temperature of 1250 °C, time of 2 h, and N2 atmosphere. This new strategy enabled rapid collection of PGMs from spent catalyst at the low temperature within a short time, contributing to energy conservation and environmental protection.

Extraction of valuable metals from low-grade nickel matte by FeCl3·6H2O roasting and water leaching process with studies on phase evolution and kinetics analysis of chlorination process

At present, low-grade nickel sulfide ore with high-alkaline gangue has replaced high-grade nickel sulfide ore as the main raw material for the extraction of nickel. Traditional pyrometallurgical smelting processes have problems such as high energy consumption, large loss of valuable metals, and low comprehensive resource utilization. In this paper, an improved process that uses chlorination roasting followed by water leaching to treat low-grade nickel matte, an intermediate product derived from flotation and high-temperature smelting of ore, is innovatively put forward. The results present that 93.6% Ni, 91.7% Cu and 88.2% Co can be synchronously extracted using matte particles of size range 75–80 μm, chlorination time of 2 h, mass ratio of chlorinating agent to matte at 2:1 and chlorination temperature of 350 °C. The chlorination roasting process was determined using differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermodynamic analysis of chlorination reactions. The kinetics of chlorination process based on the thermal analysis data are analyzed by Kissinger method and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) method, and the results show that the average apparent activation energy (Ea) of the matte chlorination process is 77.8 kJ/mol.

Alternative Resources for Producing Nickel Matte - Laterite Ores and Polymetallic Nodules

ABSTRACT Polymetallic nodules and nickel laterite ores are composed of various valuable metals and have similar nickel concentration, which makes them ideal alternatives for industries seeking to meet the increasing demand for nickel resources. The extraction process of polymetallic nodules can utilize the well-established nickel laterite treatment process without the need for developing new processes and thus, save capital costs. Herein, to efficiently extract nickel from these resources, high-temperature carbothermic reduction and sulfurization were investigated by optimizing the slag and matte systems. FactSage, a thermodynamic software was used to predict the slag system’s liquidus temperature and the formation of nickel matte. It was found that nickel matte formation was not dependent on CaSO4 addition whereas the nickel concentration in matte decreased with an increasing amount of the sulfiding agent FeS. Furthermore, the addition of a reductant significantly affected the concentration of nickel in the matte. A nickel concentration of ≥30 wt% and iron concentration of ≤40 wt% in matte were achieved by adding 0.5 wt% and 3 wt% carbon to nickel laterite ores and polymetallic nodules, respectively. Furthermore, replacing the sulfiding agent FeS with CaSO4 during the smelting of polymetallic nodules decreased the iron concentration in matte ≤15 wt% and increased the nickel concentration ≥50 wt%. Thus, this study confirmed the possibility of matte formation with high nickel concentration and low iron content by utilizing alternative nickel resources at 1350–1450°C.

A method for extracting valuable metals from low nickel matte by non-oxidative leaching with H2SO4

The Rapid development of new energy vehicle industry leads to the sharp demand for nickel, cobalt and precious metals in recent years. Because of the similar chemical properties, these metals often exist in Ni-Cu sulfide ores. Traditional treatment of Ni-Cu sulfide ores includes smelting and converting operation. In the smelting process, nickel, copper, cobalt and precious metals are enriched. And then, the low nickel matte obtained by smelting operation was treated by converting process. However, nearly half of cobalt is transferred into slag phase in converting process, leading to a large loss of cobalt. Aiming to increase the recovery of cobalt and precious metals from Ni-Cu sulfide ores, the low nickel matte is treated directly by hydrometallurgical process instead of converting. Because of the weaker affinity of Fe, Co and Ni for sulfur than Cu, the sulfides of Fe, Co and Ni may be decomposed in sulfuric acid solution, while Cu2S and inert precious metals cannot be leached and still remained in the residue. The hydrogen sulfide emitted in the leaching process of low nickel matte can be used to prepare sulfur by Claus method, which has been widely applied in chemical industry. Based on the above considerations, this work developed a promising method for treating low nickel matte. Atmospheric H2SO4 leaching, oversaturated sulfate solutions leaching and iron removal process were carried out, respectively. The leaching efficiencies of more than 99% of nickel, cobalt and iron were obtained, while copper ion cannot be detected in the solution. This process provides a new pathway for the comprehensive utilization of copper-nickel sulfide ore.

Using shell-type tuyeres at Pierce–Smith horizontal converters of the Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant

Since 2015 the processing capacity reconfiguration at the Polar Branch of MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter PB) sets new goals for conventional pyrometallurgical processes of smelting and converting. The design flowsheet of Kolesnikov Nadezhda Metallurgical Abstract: Plant (hereinafter NMP) provided for «cross-converting» when copper matte was first processed in one converter to produce blister copper followed by nickel matte processing to yield copper-nickel converter matte bypassing the discharge of dry coagulated slag. This flowsheet allowed for converter heat balance optimization, decreasing the formation of refractory reverts and significant extension of the converter campaign. PB Nickel Plant shutdown resulted in copper processing elimination at NMP and switching the converters to the conventional nickel converting flowsheet. In turn, it gave rise to the need for solutions to extend converter campaign while maintaining the possibility to process large amounts of nickel slag from the second converting stage at the PB Copper Plant. For this purpose the series of lab experiments were carried out to develop the technology and design documentation for the system to supply oxygen-enriched air (up to 45 %) to horizontal converters using shell-type tuyeres. In addition, literature data were analyzed on this topic along with the experience of smelters in this area. Process design calculations were done. The efforts were taken in cooperation with the PB engineering personnel and Laboratory of Pyrometallurgy of LLC «Gipronickel Institute». The use of reduced diameter shell-type tuyeres to inject the oxygen-air mixture was found to decrease the converter blowing and off-gas volumes. The decline in off-gas quantity leads to reduced heat load on the converter mouth and flue duct system, as well as to lowered converter dust entrainment. The use of oxygen-enriched blowing implies the higher smelt heating rate. Excess heat compensation requires timely charging of cold reverts and flux. In emergencies (if cold reverts are not available) the oxygen content of the blowing has to be reduced until switching over to air blowing. The series of the above efforts will offer a possibility to use the shell-type tuyeres keeping the converter off-gas temperature at the current level. Thus continuous monitoring and efficient control will ensure the off-gas temperature and volume at the inlets of gas cooling and cleaning systems not exceeding the limiting values. The introduction of the reduced diameter shell-type tuyeres for air-oxygen mixture injection does not require any upgrade of the existing gas cooling and cleaning systems. Moreover, switching to these tuyeres will reduce gas load on the flue duct system and heat load on the water-cooled dust cap, lower dust entrainment and non-recoverable dust losses after the gas cleaning system.

Приграничная торговля российских регионов в 2013–2019 гг.

The article examines the cross-border trade of the Russian regions, taking into account the indicators of its volume and commodity structure, and the level of economic complexity. It is concluded that the cross-border trade in Russian regions has, in general, low intensity. This is due to several factors: most of the border areas are located on the economic periphery, both of Russia and of neighboring countries, there are physical and geographical barriers in many areas, and the development of the border area is low. In some cases, the low economic potential of a neighboring country or the existing geopolitical restrictions prevent the growth of trade. Against this background, two sections of the border area stand out: the Russian-Belarusian and the Russian-Chinese. In the first case, the development of trade is facilitated by the absence of customs barriers, historic ties and ethno-cultural proximity, a high degree of infrastructure development of border areas; in the second – by the huge scale of the economy of the neighboring country and a large potential volume of trade with it. In terms of the commodity structure of cross-border trade and its complexity, Russian border regions are usually suppliers of relatively simple goods: raw materials or products of the first processing stages, and import goods of higher complexity, which generally corresponds to the foreign trade specialization of Russia. In 2013–2019, the volume of cross-border trade in Russian regions significantly decreased, mainly due to a reduction in consumer and investment imports caused by a decrease in demand. The strongest decline occurred in cross-border trade with Ukraine. The volume of cross-border trade increased during this period in the Russian-Finnish and Russian-Estonian sections of the border (due to an increase in the volume of exports of nickel matte and mineral fertilizers). The changes in the commodity structure of cross-border trade that took place in 2013–2019 indicate the consolidation of the existing specialization of Russian border regions as suppliers of raw materials and simple products in trade with neighboring countries (except for the republics of the former USSR)

Solubility of Chromium in DON Smelting

ABSTRACT Chromia-bearing raw materials in nickel and copper matte smelting are difficult to process due to their tendency of forming solid chromite spinel precipitates, leading to formation of mushy slag and buildups in the smelting vessel. The solubility of chromia in smelting slags, and especially in mattes, are not known accurately and new data for iron-silicate slags in equilibrium with low-iron nickel mattes have been measured at 1350–1450°C. Typical copper-bearing nickel mattes with Ni:Cu≈2 (w/w) in the DON (Direct Outotec Nickel) process with 2 to 10 wt% [Fe]matte have been equilibrated in carefully controlled S2-O2-SO2-Ar gas atmosphere experiments with the corresponding silica saturated iron-silicate slags. The phase assays post quenching were measured by electron probe X-ray microanalysis, including the molten slag and matte as well as the solid phase of chromite spinel. Laser ablation ICP mass spectrometry was used to measure the trace elements in the matte. An additional variable in the slag composition was magnesia concentration, varying from zero to 10 wt% (MgO)slag. The solubility of chromium in the slag at 1400°C was ≈0.7 wt% (Cr) and in the nickel matte 30–100 ppm [Cr], depending on the iron concentration of the sulfide matte. The impact of MgO on the chromium concentration in slag was small and within the experimental error of the measurements.

Preliminary Research of Synthesizing Battery Grade Nickel Sulphate from Dissolution of Nickel Matte in Dilute Sulphuric Acid

Nickel matte is a smelter product of Indonesia mining, and it was produced from laterit ores by pyrometallurgy. The nickel matte composition is about 77% Ni, 1% Co and 0.3% Fe. This study is involving with synthesizing nickel sulphate by dissolution of nickel matte in sulphuric acid. The dissolution condition was varied by sulphuric acid grade, temperature and time of process. The dissolution process will be more effective in higher temperature and longer process time, with additional mangan oxide as catalyst. The efficiency process was observed from the filtrate, residue and nickel sulphate. The filtrate was evaluated by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, and residue/nickel sulphate were analysed by XRD. The more efficient process of nickel dissolution was observed at 95 °C for 3 hours, with the conversion rate about 55% - 60%. There was no difference result between sulphuric acid technical grade and pure analytic grade. After dissolution process, the synthesizing was using co-precipitation method in varied pH and alcohol/oxalic acid. The characterization of nickel suphate has been carried out by X-ray Diffraction. The most effective of synthesizing of nickel sulphate is adjusting the pH above 5. The product of nickel sulphate will be used a precursor material for lithium battery cathode materials.

Electrolytic production of Cu-Ni alloy from nickel matte through chlorination and deep eutectic solvent leaching-electrodeposition

Direct electrochemical extraction of Cu-Ni alloy from nickel matte through chlorination and deep eutectic solvent leaching-electrodeposition processes has been investigated in this work. The reaction mechanism of the selective chlorination process and the influences of chlorination parameters including roasting temperature, roasting time and chlorinating agent addition on the chlorinated products were investigated thermodynamically and experimentally. The result shows that the sulfides (Ni3S2 and Cu2S) contained in nickel matte can convert into chlorides (NiCl2 and CuCl) and sulfates (Na2Ni(SO4)2 and NiSO4) during the chlorination process. ChCl-urea deep eutectic solvent was then used to leach Cu and Ni components from the chlorinated products, and the leaching rates of Ni and Cu can reach 40.24% and 58.21%, respectively. Finally, Cu-Ni alloy has been electrodeposited from the leached electrolyte, and the morphology, phase composition, and corrosion resistance of the electrodeposited Cu-Ni alloy were systematically investigated. It is suggested that the selective chlorination and deep eutectic solvent leaching-electrodeposition processes provide a promising strategy for the extraction of Cu-Ni alloy from complex nickel matte.

Trace element distributions between matte and slag in direct nickel matte smelting

ABSTRACTBehaviour of trace elements in the nickel matte smelting was studied at 1673 K (1400°C) by equilibration-quenching techniques followed by direct phase analyses using electron probe X-ray microanalysis and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The matte-slag samples at silica saturation were equilibrated with SO2-CO-CO2-Ar mixtures of fixed pSO2, pS2 and pO2 in order to obtain a pre-determined oxidation degree for the sulphide matte, and thus to generate a targeted iron concentration of the nickel-copper–iron sulphide matte (Ni:Cu = 5, w/w), depending on the slag chemistry. The slag composition was varied from 0 to 2 wt-% K2O and 0–10 wt-% MgO in silica saturation. The studied trace elements were Co, Ge, Pb, Se and Sn, but also the matte-to-slag distributions of the slag forming fluxing components Mg (MgO) and Si (SiO2) were determined experimentally. Selenium was the only trace element studied which strongly enriched in the low-iron nickel mattes, and the deportment became larger when the sulphide matte depleted with iron. All the other trace elements behaved in the opposite way.

Nickel leaching from low-grade nickel matte using aqueous ferric chloride solution

Nickel leaching from low-grade nickel matte (LGNM) using aqueous ferric chloride solution was studied. The influence of factors such as leaching temperature and concentration of ferric chloride on the nickel leaching ratio was investigated. The results show that increasing leaching temperature and concentration of ferric chloride increases the nickel leaching ratio. The overall nickel leaching process follows the unreacted shrinking core model, and the surface chemical reaction is the rate-controlling step. The activation energy and the reaction order of the nickel leaching process, controlled by the surface chemical reaction, were calculated to be 52.96 kJ·mol−1 and 0.5, respectively. Therefore, the kinetics equation for the nickel leaching was found to be 1 − (1 − α)1/3 = 7.18 × 104C0.5exp[− 52,960/(RT)]t.

Impact of MgO and K2O on Slag-Nickel Matte Equilibria

Slag chemistry of the direct nickel matte smelting was studied in typical industrial high-grade nickel matte smelting conditions at 1400 °C and 0.1 atm pSO2. The experimental technique used involved equilibration, quenching and direct elemental phase composition analysis by Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis. Magnesia and potassia, a typical gangue constituent of sulfidic nickel concentrates and a common impurity of industrial grade silica flux (sand), respectively, were adopted as slag modifiers in concentrations typical to industrial operations. Their effects on oxidation degree of the nickel-copper-iron matte and equilibrium concentrations of Ni and Cu in the slag were studied as a function of oxygen partial pressure. Solubility of silica in the slag increased significantly with additions of MgO and K2O in the constrained case studied, at silica saturation. Equilibrium concentrations of Ni and Cu in the slag containing MgO and K2O were about a quarter lower compared to the pure iron silicate slag, in the entire oxygen partial pressure range studied.

Mineralogical Characteristics of the Nickel Laterite, Southeast Ophiolite Belt, Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

With the sharp decrease of sulfide nickel resources, the nickel laterite is becoming more attractive as nickel oxide, nickel matte, and nickel-iron. This study investigated the mineral phase structure, chemical analysis, thermal properties, and element distribution characteristics of the rotten rock layer deposited in the Southeast Sulawesi Ophiolite Belt. The results show that the nickel laterite deposited in Southeast Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, belongs to the typical high-nickel and low-iron garnierite-type laterite. The concentrations of nickel and iron of the nickel laterite are 1.99 wt% and 17.55 wt%, respectively. The serpentine, olivine, clay, chlorite, hematite, and magnetite are the major minerals, and the pyroxene, actinolite, limonite, and chromite are the minor minerals in the nickel laterite in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Serpentine and olivine are the main nickel minerals with an average nickel concentration of 3.65 wt% and 1.73 wt%, respectively. The Fe and Ni have homogeneity and symbiosis in the serpentine and olivine, and their concentrations are often positively correlated.

Extraction of valuable metals from low nickel matte by calcified roasting−acid leaching process

A calcified roasting−acid leaching process was developed as a highly effective method for the extraction of valuable metals from low nickel matte in the presence of CaO additive. The influences of process parameters on the metal extraction were studied, including the roasting temperature, roasting time, addition of CaO, H2SO4 concentration and liquid−solid ratio. Under the optimum condition, 94.2% of Ni, 98.1% of Cu, 92.2% of Co and 89.3% of Fe were recovered. Additionally, 99.6% of Fe was removed from the leachate as goethite by a subsequent goethite iron precipitation process. The behavior and mechanism of CaO additive in the roasting process was clarified. The role of CaO is to prevent the formation of nonferrous metal ferrite phases by a preferential reaction with Fe2O3 during the roasting process. The metal oxides (CuO and NixCu1−xO) remained stable during high-temperature roasting and were subsequently efficiently leached using a sulfuric acid solution.

Electrodeposition of Ni-Cu alloy films from nickel matte in deep eutectic solvent

Direct electrodeposition of Ni-Cu alloy films from nickel matte precursor in choline chloride (ChCl)/urea (1:2 molar ratio) based deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been investigated. The nickel matte was firstly sintered with KCl at 450 °C for 45 min to form metal chlorides (NiCl2 and CuCl), then the chlorinated nickel matte was dissolved into ChCl/urea DES, which served as electrolyte for the electrodeposition of Ni-Cu alloy films. For comparison, electrodeposition of Ni-Cu alloy films from pure chlorides (NiCl2·6H2O and CuCl) precursors in ChCl/urea DES has also been investigated. Cyclic voltammetry analysis confirms that the two electrodeposition processes in DES are similar, and Ni-Cu alloy films with different compositions can be deposited in a controlled manner. The phase compositions, microstructures and corrosion resistance performances of the two Ni-Cu alloy films electrodeposited from different precursors have also been investigated and compared. It is suggested that the chlorination-electrodeposition process in DES is a promising strategy for the electrochemical extraction of alloys from complex raw materials.

Oxidative dissolution of nickel matte in dilute sulfuric acid solutions

Nickel matte (Ni3S2) is the most common feedstock for producing nickel oxide and nickel metal in associated refineries. Nickel matte is produced from sulfide or laterite ores, and contains around 73 wt% nickel. This study investigated the dissolution parameters of nickel matte in dilute sulfuric acid media in the presence of air as oxidant with the goal of presenting a cost-effective process for leaching nickel matte. The dissolution experiments were carried out to examine the following effects: air flow rate, stirring speed, S/L ratio, acid concentration, reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of ferrous sulfate added. Nickel extraction of 90% and cobalt extraction of 80% were achieved using dilute H2SO4 and sparging of air as a source of oxygen. To increase the dissolution percentage of the matte, ferrous sulfate addition was studied and the oxidation and reduction potential (ORP) was measured to investigate the effect of ferrous ions on nickel and cobalt recovery. The highest nickel dissolution percentage (95%) was observed with the initial addition of 1200 mg/L Fe (II). Characterization of samples has been carried out with quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy, along with an energy dispersive system (SEM-EDS).

Hydrometallurgical production of LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathode material from high-grade nickel matte

In this study, a material-oriented metallurgical strategy, which is of such characteristics as short process, energy conservation and cost saving, is proposed to treat high-grade nickel matte and simultaneously produce LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 cathode material for lithium ion batteries. This process is mainly composed of four steps, which is oxidation roasting, two-stage leaching, purification and material synthesis. First, high-grade nickel matte is roasted to eliminate sulfur under air atmosphere. Then the roasted product is first leached to selectively remove 78.10% Cu with little Ni and Co extraction at atmospheric temperature under optimum conditions (25 °C, HCl 1.50 mol L−1, L/S 7.0, 30 min). After that, 96.23% Ni, 96.58% Cu and 84.18% Co are extracted in thermal leaching process under optimum conditions (70 °C, HCl 3.0 mol L−1, L/S 10.0, 120 min), leaving Fe, Zn and Ca in residue. The obtained lixivium is purified by solvent extraction method to adjust the mass ratio of Cu and Ni to the range that meets the requirement for preparation of cathode material. Finally, LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 material is produced by spray pyrolysis and sintering. The electrochemical performance of the resulting material is comparable with that prepared from analytical reagents, indicating such process can realize the comprehensive utilization of high-grade nickel matte.

Electrodeposition of Ni[sbnd]Mo[sbnd]Cu coatings from roasted nickel matte in deep eutectic solvent for hydrogen evolution reaction

It is attractive to design and develop a low-cost and environment friendly material preparation route for the catalysts used in alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. Mineral reconstruction in chlorination roasting and electrodeposition in deep eutectic solvent have been combined in this work. The electrodeposition of NiMoCu coatings from roasted nickel matte precursor in choline chloride (ChCl)-urea deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been investigated. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) implies that the electrodeposition process of NiMoCu coatings in ChCl-urea DES consists of a one-step reaction of Ni(II), a two-step reaction of Cu(II) and Ni/Mo inductive co-deposition. The hydrogen evolution performance parameters of deposited NiMoCu coatings have been systematically studied in alkaline solution by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) has been tested by CV. The hydrogen evolution kinetics of deposited NiMoCu coatings has been further investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Owing to its high electrochemical surface area, the NiMoCu coating deposited on Ni foam at −1.2 V can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 93 mV in 1 M KOH. It is suggested that NiMoCu coating can be a promising candidate for water splitting in alkaline solution.

Electrodeposition of Porous Sn-Ni-Cu Alloy Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries from Nickel Matte in Deep Eutectic Solvents

Porous Sn-Ni-Cu alloy films have been prepared by electrodeposition on Ni foam from nickel matte in choline chloride/ethylene glycol (1:2 molar ratio) based deep eutectic solvent (12CE DES). The electrodeposition process, the phase composition and morphology of the deposited Sn-Ni-Cu alloy films have been systematically investigated, the electrochemical performances of the porous Sn-Ni-Cu alloy films as anode material for lithium-ion batteries have also been evaluated. The results show that the deposited Sn-Ni-Cu alloy films mainly consist of CuNi2Sn and Ni3Sn2 phases with porous structure. The cathodic potential has significant influence on the microstructures and electrochemical performances of the deposited Sn-Ni-Cu alloy films. The Sn-Ni-Cu alloy film electrodeposited at −0.4 V in 12CE DES dissolved with SnCl2 and chlorinated nickel matte shows a high reversible capacity of 533 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to the porous structure and the existence of Ni and Cu. It is suggested that the deposited Sn-Ni-Cu alloy is a promising candidate as anode material for lithium-ion batteries and can be simply deposited from abundant and inexpensive nickel matte in deep eutectic solvent.