Obtenção e caracterização do titanato de níquel a partir da reciclagem de baterias de Ni-MH

Abstract

Due to climate change and globalization, the search for new technologies and innovative solutions to environmental and social issues has intensified, such as the generation and disposal of e-waste that affects the entire planet. According to data published by the Global e-waste monitor in partnership with the United Nations (UN), there was a record disposal of electronic waste in the world in 2019, totaling 53.6 million tons of e-waste. Furthermore, this report pointed out that only 17.4% of this amount was recycled (ONU NEWS, 2020; DIAS et al., 2022). Of this amount, about 200 million Ni-MH batteries are discarded annually, which, 1965 tons of nickel and 337 tons of cobalt can be recovered by recycling processes (BEHERA; FARZANA; SAHAJWALLA, 2020). Therefore, investigating ways to recover the nickel present in Ni-MH batteries, can provide positive impacts in terms of the environment and the economy. In this work, studies were carried out to obtain and characterize nickel titanate (NiTiO3), obtained from the recovery of nickel extracted from exhausted batteries of the Ni-MH type. To achieve the NiTiO3 compound, three synthesis routes were developed from the anode and cathode of exhausted Ni-MH type batteries. The products obtained were characterized by the techniques: thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA), spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region with Fourier transform (mid-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (DRX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-rays (EDS) coupled to SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Tafel polarization curves. All synthesis routes were successful in the formation of NiTiO3 from the battery's active material, indicating a great potential for the use and reintegration of this material in the production chain.