Worth from Waste: Utilizing a Graphite-Rich Fraction from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries as Alternative Reductant in Nickel Slag Cleaning

One possible way of recovering metals from spent lithium-ion batteries is to integrate the recycling with already existing metallurgical processes. This study continues our effort on integrating froth flotation and nickel-slag cleaning process for metal recovery (SBs), using anodic graphite as main reductant. The SBs used in this was a fraction industrially prepared black mass. effect different ratios Ni-slag time-dependent phase formation behavior investigated. influence sulfur contents system alloy/matte described. trace element (Co, Cu, Ni, Mn) concentrations slag were analyzed laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) technique. distribution coefficients cobalt nickel between metallic or sulfidic (metal alloy/matte) coexisting increased increasing amount starting mixture. However, mixture (from 0.99 wt.% 3.97 wt.%), Fe concentration both alloy matte also 29 68 7 49 wt.%, respectively), which may be challenging if further hydrometallurgical treatment expected. Therefore, composition must adjusted depending steps recovery.