Metal Bioleaching from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Acidophilic Bacterial Strains

Abstract

In this present work lithium and cobalt recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries (27.5% LiCoO 2 ) by bioleaching was investigated. The experiments were carried out using the consortia of acidophilic bacteria of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans . For the Li and Co bioleaching two different media were used. A rich nutrient medium was consisted of all minerals needed for bacterial growths, whereas a low nutrient medium contained only sulphuric acid and elemental sulphur as an energy source. In the rich nutrient medium the overall lithium and cobalt bioleaching efficiency was 80% and 67%, respectively, whereas in the low nutrient environment only 35% Li and 10.5% Co were released. The experimental results revealed that the presence of nutri - ents in the bioleaching medium influenced, to a large extent, lithium and cobalt dissolution from LIBs.