Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from Spent

This study investigates the recovery of nickel and cobalt from spent nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries through electrowinning, focusing on the effects of various operational parameters such as boric acid concentration, temperature, current density, and pH. Synthetic solutions were utilized to optimize the electrowinning conditions, which were then applied to a solution derived from leaching the electrodes of NiMH batteries. The electrowinning experiments were conducted galvanostatically in a two-compartment cell, employing a platinum/iridium-coated titanium anode and a stainless-steel cathode, while sodium sulfate served as the electrolyte. The findings confirm the technical feasibility of recovering nickel and cobalt from spent NiMH batteries, with the deposits obtained showcasing high concentrations of both metals. These results demonstrate the potential for an efficient recycling process that addresses the environmental concerns associated with electronic waste, particularly the increasing generation of spent batteries and the necessity for sustainable waste management practices.