(in collaboration with Wen Zhang’s research group, NJIT)
This project aims to address the technical challenges in pollution prevention and pollution source reduction in metals recovery from waste lithium-ion batteries.
Current mainstream metal leaching processes from waste batteries involve the extensive use of hazardous and corrosive acids and bases (e.g., H2SO4, H2O2 HCl, and NaOH) and result in secondary pollution such as acid gases and waste acids for additional disposal. We will assess the metal leaching efficiencies, governing parameters, and reusability of seven different organic acids as candidate leachants. Meanwhile, we will investigate the reuse of organic acids to reduce secondary pollution.
Ultimately, the project will deliver innovative methodologies of green chemistry-based metal recovery for waste batteries and empower industrial practitioners with sustainable engineering practices.
PI/Collaborators:
Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, lrfreire@njit.edu
