Corrosion study of 430 stainless steel with cobalt electrodeposited obtained from the recycling of Li-ion batteries

Abstract

In this paper an interesting alternative for recycling of Li-ion battery cathode and and improving the corrosion resistance of 430 stainless steel is presented. The spent cathode composition has molecular formula approximately LiCoO2. The cobalt electrodeposition onto 430 SS was performed using the cobalt bath obtained by spent LiCoO2 lixiviation. In air atmosphere and high temperatures the metallic cobalt is transformed into a Co3O4 layer that acts as protection against chromium volatilization. This was confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning eletron microscopy measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, in 0.5 M H2SO4 after thermal treatment at 600, 700 and 800 °C show that the cobalt electrodeposition is efficient in mitigating the effects of corrosion when 430 stainless steel is subjected to high temperatures.