ItemArticle

Electrochemical cobalt extraction from grinding sludge for supercapacitor applications via hydro- and solvometallurgical processes

Title
Electrochemical cobalt extraction from grinding sludge for supercapacitor applications via hydro- and solvometallurgical processes
Creator
Prabin, A.; Sudhakar, Y.N.; Vijayan, Ajesh
Description
Cobalt is a critical material for energy storage applications, including supercapacitors, but its supply is constrained by geopolitical and environmental challenges. This study presents a sustainable approach for cobalt recovery from cemented tungsten carbide grinding sludge via deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and evaluates the electrochemical performance of the recovered materials in supercapacitors. Electrochemical extraction was optimized at 4 V and 10 mA/cm2, achieving a cobalt concentration of 2900 mg/L in the DES. The cobalt was then recovered as cobalt oxalate via solvometallurgical (Route 1) and hydrometallurgical (Route 2) processes and subsequently calcined into cobalt oxide. Characterization revealed that the solvometallurgical route yielded finer, porous particles with enhanced electrochemical properties. The recovered cobalt oxalate and cobalt oxide were utilized in supercapacitor electrodes, demonstrating superior electrochemical performance when combined with activated carbon (AC). Supercapacitors incorporating cobalt oxide from route 1 with AC achieved a specific capacitance of 95 F/g, outperforming cobalt oxalate-based electrodes (89 F/g) at 1 mA/g. The AC-modified electrodes exhibited improved energy and power densities, with stable capacitance retention over 1000 cycles. Comparative analysis with direct deposition methods highlighted the multistep recovery process as a promising route for scalable cobalt recycling. This study underscores the potential of DES-based electrochemical extraction as an environmentally friendly alternative for critical metal recovery, aligning with circular economy principles and sustainable energy storage solutions. 2025 The Authors
Source
Materials Chemistry and Physics;Volume;340;Issue;;Article No.;130866;
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Subject
Activated carbon; Cemented carbide scrap; Deep eutectic solvent; Electrochemical recycling; Supercapacitor; Sustainable resource management
Coverage
Prabin A., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India, Kennametal India Limited, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560073, India; Sudhakar Y.N., Department of Chemistry, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India; Vijayan A., Department of Chemistry, Christ University, Hosur Road, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560029, India
Rights
All Open Access; Hybrid Gold Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 2540584; CODEN: MCHPD
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Prabin, A.; Sudhakar, Y.N.; Vijayan, Ajesh, “Electrochemical cobalt extraction from grinding sludge for supercapacitor applications via hydro- and solvometallurgical processes,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22381.

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