Synthesis of FePO4 Precursor for LiFePO4 Battery Cathode from Used Nickel Plated A3 Steel Battery Shell by Hydrometallurgy Processing

One of the most well-known material for lithium battery cathode synthesis of lithium ferro-phosphate type is iron phosphate precursor. The precursor is synthesized by the use of leaching method with tartaric acid solution with optimization at various leaching temperature and time. The temperature variables are at 30 ℃, 50 ℃, 70 ℃, and 90 oC. The time variables are at 3 hours, 6 hours, and 9 hours. The main material that is used is iron from used nickel plated A3 steel battery shell. The recovered iron concentration and quantity is calculated from absorbance by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). AAS analysis indicates the absorbed Fe is rated at 1,02 % (30 ℃, 2,76 % (50 ℃), 9,93 % (70 ℃), and 34,31 % (90 ℃) during 9 hours of leaching.The analysis indicates the recovered iron is rated the highest during 9 hours of leaching at the highest temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis at various leaching temperature variable indicates formation of iron phosphate crystal to be compared with iron phosphate commercial precursor, while scanning electron microscope analysis shows uniform iron phosphate particle morphology.