Metal Bioleaching from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Acidophilic Bacterial Strains

In this present work lithium and cobalt recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries (27.5% LiCoO2) by bioleaching was investigated. The experiments were carried out using the consortia of acidophilic bacteria of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. For the Li and Co bioleaching two different media were used. A rich nutrient medium was consisted of all minerals needed for bacterial growths, whereas a low nutrient medium contained only sulphuric acid and elemental sulphur as an energy source. In the rich nutrient medium the overall lithium and cobalt bioleaching efficiency was 80% and 67%, respectively, whereas in the low nutrient environment only 35% Li and 10.5% Co were released. The experimental results revealed that the presence of nutrients in the bioleaching medium influenced, to a large extent, lithium and cobalt dissolution from LIBs.