Cr(VI) reduction and adsorption by bimetallic nanoparticles from Li-ion batteries

In this work, bimetallic nanoparticles of cobalt and copper (NPLIB) were synthetized from obsolete Li-ion batteries cellphones and applied for the first time in the Cr(VI) removal. NPLIB has approximately 50 and 40% of Co and Cu content, respectively. The material is composed of Cu⁰ and Co⁰ but also presents metal oxides on its surface. The nanoparticles have spherical morphology and a high agglomeration capacity. The cobalt was better distributed on the surface, while copper was present in small scattered clusters. The NPLIB have an average diameter of 13.5 nm being confirmed the formation of the core-shell structure. The point of zero charge was calculated as 8.3. The NPLIB were used in the Cr(VI) removal process in aqueous solution, exhibiting a removal efficiency of ≈ 90% in 60 min of reaction. The kinetics study showed a mechanism consisting of two phases and better fit by pseudo-second-order model. The first phase is faster than the second. It is possible to observe peaks related to the oxidation of Co and Cu in the post reaction NPLIB by X-ray diffraction analysis, suggesting the modification of the material. Raman spectroscopy has shown that Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) and remains bound to the surface of the nanoparticle, even after the desorption process, reducing its removal efficiency in new cycles. Graphical abstract.