ABSTRACT
In this work, the black powder cathode material of spent Li-ion batteries from mobile phones was extracted and then fused together with clear glass cullet and fluxing agents, to produce three formulations of Co-bearing glasses. The cathode powder material and the produced Co-bearing glasses were characterized by means of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques; cathode material was also analyzed by Scanning Electron Microcopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). In addition, the toxicity characteristics of the Co-bearing glasses obtained was assessed by standardized leaching procedures. The melting of this cathode powder with cullet and fluxes generated an amorphous structure, which confirmed its vitrification. Glasses containing 1.5% Co and 15% borax released the less heavy-metals to solution during leaching, but higher amounts of borax in glass formulation made the glass more leachable and, thus, less suitable for heavy-metal immobilization.
