High-energy, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are playing an important role in industrial products such as electronic devices represented by smartphones/tablets and electric vehicles. However, with the surge in demand, we have to consider long-term recycling and sustainable development. The good news is that there is a new study that points us to a safer, greener path -- using fungi to extract valuable elements from spent batteries.
Researchers use three strains of fungi to extract precious metals from spent batteries
Due to the endless demand of human beings, the pollution caused by electronic waste cannot be ignored. Traditional methods can only landfill or incinerate, but will discharge pollutants into water, soil and air.
In addition, many parts are made of rare materials such as lithium and cobalt. If you can do your best to recover, you can reduce the pressure on relatively limited natural resources. Normally, we need high temperature or solvents to separate the extracted substances.
Out of the pursuit of environmental protection, researchers at the University of South Florida thought of the power of three strains of fungi, namely:
Aspergillus niger, Penicillium simplicissimum, and Penicillium chrysogenum.
Project leader Jeffrey Cunningham said:
These fungal strains were selected because they were observed to be able to efficiently extract metals from other types of waste products.
We infer that its extraction mechanism should be quite simple. If so, these fungi should also be able to extract lithium and cobalt from used batteries.
The treatment method is to disassemble the battery and pulverize the cathode. Then the organic acid-producing fungi are introduced, and the metal elements are effectively "leached out".
Through the interaction of fungi, acids, and cathode powders, valuable cobalt and lithium can be extracted - our goal is to almost completely recover the raw materials.
With the help of oxalic and citric acid produced by fungi, the team has been able to successfully extract 85% of lithium and 48% of cobalt. However, elements that are mixed in acidic liquid media require further separation.
We already have the idea of ​​how to remove cobalt and lithium from the acid, but it is still at the conceptual stage. However, the initial test of fungal extraction technology has been considered a major advancement.
After this concept is validated, the research team will further explore different types of fungi (and their acids) in order to find a better method of extraction.
In addition to helping to reduce e-waste and meet the growing demand for lithium, the technology can also play an important role in the development of liquid batteries for pyrite and organic compounds.
Finally, the study will be presented at the 252nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society this week.
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