Ni/Co metal alloy rounds produced from LIB black mass

image of a laboratory bench with equipment labeled for parts in a process
20 L scale electrowinning process to produce Ni/Co alloy

CMI researchers at Garrison Minerals, REQYRD and Irish Metals conducted the research for this highlight

Innovation 
Nickel and cobalt from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIB) recovered into commercial product

Achievement

  • >99.5% purity Ni/Co metal alloy rounds produced from LIB black mass leachates
  • Demonstrated for two-step sulfur dioxide dissolution leachates and electrochemical leachates

Significance and Impact

  • Alloy can be used directly in hard metal or casting operations, or processed further to battery-grade materials
  • Separation of Ni and Co from Li, Mn, and graphite enables effective recovery of all LIB energy materials

Hub Goal Addressed 
Recovery and conversion of critical minerals into high value end products

image of group of round, gray metal discs
Ni/Co metal alloy rounds, ~3 cm diameter, 99.5% purity.