Conversion of waste Mn-Zn dry battery as efficient nano-adsorbents for hazardous metals removal

A novel technique was successfully developed for manufacturing Mn-Zn ferrite nano-particles by acid dissolution and ferrite processes. The powders of waste dry batteries (PWDBs) were used as starting raw materials because the Mn and Zn content inside the PWDBs is potentially high. Our data showed that the most abundant elements inside PWDBs are manganese (41.0%), oxygen (40.6%), zinc (15.3%), and carbon (3.1%). It was found that proper reductant was critical for dissolution where FeSO4 is essential for spinel ferrite formation. Synthesized Mn-Zn ferrite particles reached their saturation magnetization at 63.8 emu/g and were successfully applied for As, Cd, and Pb removal in aqueous solution. Under the conditions of Mn-Zn ferrite 0.005 g, volume 10 mL, temperature 27°C, and contact time 1h, As, Cd, and Pb removal could reach 99.9, 99.7, and 99.8%, respectively. We demonstrate a novel method that can be applied for transforming WDBs into resource materials. This not only reduces the amount of WDBs, but also supports the concept of waste-battery reusable green-energy policy.