Selective Metal Biorecovery from Lithium Ion Batteries

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The demand for critical metals is increasing at an exponential rate. In order to limit the environmental and societal impact of resource extraction and to meet net-zero targets for CO2 reduction, the recycling of metals from spent lithium ion batteries is vital. Recycling solutions need to be both adaptive and flexible to meet the needs of the competitive and constantly evolving cathode chemistry market. Our group has previously outlined the first steps for the separation and recovery of the most abundant and valuable metals present in a wide range of lithium ion battery (LIB) cathode chemistries. This being the recovery of Mn, Co and Ni from vehicular LIBs by the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles from battery leachates. Our method supports the principles of green chemistry since the reactions take place in aqueous solutions using bacteria that are both renewable and scalable. Furthermore, they take place at temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius without the addition of hazardous solvents. The synthesis of specific metallic nanoparticles, as a result of this bacterial recycling process, provides an added incentive for the recycling industry and offers up novel materials for future green technology developments.The aim of this research proposal is to optimise the bioprocess by (i) adapting S. oneidensis MR-1, the bacterium responsible for the separation of Mn in the first step of our bioprocess, to ensure 100% Mn removal from LIB leachates (ii) developing a bioseparation process for Co and Ni using engineered strains of the bacterium Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20, and (iii) demonstrating scale up of the bioprocess to 5L scale. The nanoparticles produced will be characterised and their potential for remanufacture into LIB electrodes assessed, with life cycle analysis completed to determine the environmental impact of this engineered bioprocess.