Acid reducing leaching of cathodic powder from spent lithium ion batteries: Glucose oxidative pathways and particle area evolution

Co and Li recovery by acid-reducing leaching of lithium ion battery powder was investigated evidencing that glucose efficiency changes depending on leaching procedure. Postponing glucose addition metal extractive yields were higher (88% for Co and 92% for Li) than adding glucose at the beginning (60% for both). Chromatographic analyses evidenced that glucose degradation occurred preferentially via glucaric acid when its addition is postponed, while gluconic via is favored if glucose is added initially. Dynamic evolution of particle area showed particle fragmentation occurring during acid preleaching determining an increase of specific surface area available for further reaction when glucose is added.