Nanochemistry and biotechnology
Recovery of metal ions from spent batteries using the ion exchange method
Fila D., Hubicki Z., Kołodyńska D.
Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, 
Faculty of Chemistry, M. Curie Sklodowska Sq. 2, 20-031 Lublin  *dominika.fila@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl

The continuous increase in the production of electronic equipment, such as mobile phones, computers, mobile devices and, as a result, batteries, contributes to the development of new technologies for recycling of a huge number of spent batteries [1]. Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries are widely used as power sources for digital cameras, mobile phones and hybrid cars. The most desirable and valuable materials to recover from these spent batteries are the metal compounds inside the electrodes. In their chemical composition these batteries contain metals such as nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements. Different methods can be used for the recovery of metals from spent batteries including ion exchange, precipitation and solvent extraction [2,3]. The paper presents the possibility of using the aminophosphonic ion exchangers Amberlite IRC747 and Purolite S940 for the recovery of La(III) and Ni(II) ions from nitric acid(V) solutions derived from the leaching of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. Sorption experiments of these metal ions were performed by the static method, investigating the effects of HNO3 concentration, phase contact time, initial solution concentration and temperature on the adsorption capacity. The kinetic and equilibrium parameters of the La(III) and Ni(II) ions sorption were also determined. The ion exchangers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The point of zero electric charge was also determined by the drift method. The obtained test results show the applicability of ion exchangers for the recovery of La(III) and Ni(II) ions from the acidic solutions wastes.
Work financed by NCBiR as part of the project no. POIR.04.01.01—00-0040/17.
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