Chemical and electrochemical recycling of nickel from the positive electrode of spent nickel-cadmium batteries in sulphuric acid

Abstract EN

In this research work, The recycling of spent nickel - cadmium batteries is an important issue not only from the viewpoint of treatment of hazardous wastes but also due to the recovery of valuable elements present in such a waste.

Chemical and electrochemical recycling metal value by environmentally friendly process is the best option to obtain economical advantage and prevent environmental pollution.

The chemical recycling methods for the Ni, Co, and Si from the positives electrodes of spent Ni - Cd batteries were studied using different acidic solutions.

The first one is sulphoric acid, which was used for nickel recovery.

The chemical compositions of the components of the cell.

It was found that nickel was present in both the active electrode materials of the cathode.

cadmium was the main constitu-ent of the anode, cobalt and silicon was present in both electrodes.

The present paper reports improved nickel recov-eries in sulphoric acid leaching of Ni–Cd battery powder at relatively lower temperatures.

the positives electrodes of spent Ni–Cd battery powder containing about 55% Ni, 2.2% Cd, Co, 2.4 % and Si 0.30 % was leached in sulphoric acid varying the parameters viz., acid concentration, time, and temperature.

The recovery percentages of metal ion were found to be 98.72% of nickel using optimum conditions (5 M H2SO4), 2000 mg sample, 180 min, and 25 ml acid volume.

Dissolution of various nickel phases present in Ni–Cd battery powder was investigated by SEM, XRD analysis and the concentration of metal ion in the solutions was measured using AAS.