Nickel and cobalt recycling from lithium-ion batteries by electrochemical processes

Current efficiency of 96% and specific energy consumption of 2.8 kWh/kg were obtained for Co at 250 A/m2, pH 4-4.2 and 50 °C, by using a solution containing manganese and (NH4)2SO4. The Co powder, produced in potentiostatic conditions (−0.9 V vs. SCE, pH 4, room temperature) appears particularly suitable for Co recycling as cobaltite in new batteries.