CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC ELEMENTS PRESENT IN THE ACTIVE MATERIAL OF BATTERIES

Abstract

This study develops an analysis procedure to determine potentially toxic metals such as chromium, cadmium, nickel, and lead in the active material of batteries and cells by atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The characterization of the active material was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The analysis procedures with the active material were used to extract metals, following the ABNT NBR 10.005/2004 procedure in comparison with the acid mineralization of the material in a microwave oven using aqua regia with and without the addition of hydrogen peroxide. The results of the characterization provided the obtaining of the particle size, morphology, and the constituent compounds of the active material. The leaching assay proved to be adequate for promoting an extraction of 85-95% of the analytes when compared to the values of total digestion. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by addition and recovery test with results in the range of 95-108%. The concentrations obtained from the analytes investigated by acid mineralization were 5 to 15% higher than the leached extract. The concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb are above the value established by the current legislation, classifying them as hazardous waste.