Comprehensive insights into the gallic acid assisted bioleaching process for spent LIBs: Relationships among bacterial functional genes, Co(III) reduction and metal dissolution behavior

Xiaojian Liao; Maoyou Ye; Jialin Liang; Jianxiong Jian; Shoupeng Li; Qiaowei Gan; Zihang Liu; Zhihua Mo; Yu Huang; Shuiyu Sun

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130773

Comprehensive insights into the gallic acid assisted bioleaching process for spent LIBs: Relationships among bacterial functional genes, Co(III) reduction and metal dissolution behavior

J Hazard Mater. 2023 Apr 5:447:130773. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130773. Epub 2023 Jan 10.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
² College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China.
³ Guangzhou Key Laboratory Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering, Foshan 528216, China. Electronic address: sysun@gdut.edu.cn.

PMID: 36641848
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130773

Abstract

Despite the growing demand for resource recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by bioleaching, low Co leaching efficiency has hindered the development and application of this technology. Therefore, a novel process was designed, combining gallic acid (GA) and mixed culture bioleaching (MCB), to enhance the removal of metals from spent LIBs. Results indicated that the GA + MCB process achieved 98.03% Co and 98.02% Li leaching from spent LIBs, simultaneously reducing the biotoxicity, phytotoxicity and leaching toxicity of spent LIBs under optimal conditions. The results of mechanism analysis demonstrated that functional microorganisms adapted to the leaching system through various strategies, including oxidative stress reduction, DNA damage repair, heavy metal resistance and biofilm formation, maintaining normal physiological activities and the continuous production of biological acid. The biological acid erodes the surface of waste LIBs, causing some Co and a large amount of Li to be released, while also increasing the contact area between GA and Co(III). Therefore, GA is beneficial for reducing insoluble Co(III), forming soluble Co(II). Finally, biological acid can effectively promote Co(II) leaching. Collectively, the results of this study provide valuable insight into the simultaneous enhancement of metal extraction and the mitigation of environmental pollution from spent LIBs.

Keywords: Bacterial functional genes; Bioleaching; Gallic acid; Spent LIBs; Toxicity assessment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Electric Power Supplies
Lithium*
Metals
Recycling*
Solubility

Substances

Lithium
Metals