Electrooxidation of nickel-ammonia complexes and simultaneous electrodeposition recovery of nickel from practical nickel-electroplating rinse wastewater

Recovery of heavy metal complexes from wastewaters: A critical review of mechanisms and technologies

Heavy metal complexes (HMCs) pose significant ecological challenges while also holding attractive economic value. This review comprehensively summarizes advanced techniques for recovering HMCs from wastewater, including reductive recovery, oxidative decomplexation-recovery, and non-redox separation. Physical and chemical separation approaches utilize specific properties of metal complexes for efficient segregation. Specifically, we explore oxidative decomposition techniques, emphasizing the underlying mechanisms and practical application for selective and non-selective decomplexation techniques. The crucial role of cathodic potential on the efficiency and selectivity of electrochemical reduction processes is also examined. In addition, a comprehensive cost assessment, including energy consumption, associated with these recovering processes is investigated, and opinions on the inadequacy of current studies are provided. Overall, this review uniquely integrates findings on selective physical separation, oxidation, and reduction processes as well as the cost assessments for these techniques, providing a novel and comprehensive perspective on heavy metal recovery. It aims to bridge existing gaps in literature and advance the development of effective recovery methodologies for HMCs.

A hybrid system for Nickel ions removal from synthesized wastewater using adsorption assisted with electrocoagulation

The presence of heavy metal ions in water environments has raised significant concerns, necessitating practical solutions for their complete removal. In this study, a combination of adsorption and electrocoagulation (ADS + EC) techniques was introduced as an efficient approach for removing high concentrations of nickel ions (Ni2+) from aqueous solutions, employing low-cost sunflower seed shell biochar (SSSB). The combined techniques demonstrated superior removal efficiency compared to individual methods. The synthesized SSSB was characterized using SEM, FT-IR, XRD, N2-adsorption-desorption isotherms, XPS, and TEM. Batch processes were optimized by investigating pH, adsorbent dosage, initial nickel concentration, electrode effects, and current density. An aluminum (Al) electrode electrocoagulated particles and removed residual Ni2+ after adsorption. Kinetic and isotherm models examined Ni2+ adsorption and electrocoagulation coupling with SSSB-based adsorbent. The results indicated that the kinetic data fit well with a pseudo-second-order model, while the experimental equilibrium adsorption data conformed to a Langmuir isotherm under optimized conditions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the activated sunflower seed shell was determined to be 44.247 mg.g-1. The highest nickel ion removal efficiency of 99.98% was observed at initial pH values of 6.0 for ADS and 4.0 for ADS/EC; initial Ni2+ concentrations of 30.0 mg/L and 1.5 g/L of SSSB; initial current densities of 0.59 mA/cm2 and 1.32 kWh/m3 were also found to be optimal. The mechanisms involved in the removal of Ni2+ from wastewater were also examined in this research. These findings suggest that the adsorption-assisted electrocoagulation technique has a remarkable capacity for the cost-effective removal of heavy metals from various wastewater sources.

Synchronous removal of oxytetracycline and Cr(Ⅵ) in Fenton-like photocatalysis process driven by MnFe2O4/g-C3N4: Performance and mechanisms

Complex wastewater has more complicated toxicity and potential harm to organisms, and synchronous REDOX of complex pollutants in wastewater has always been a bottleneck in the development of advanced oxidation technology. Herein, a Fenton-like photocatalytic system (MnFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction composites) was established to simultaneously remove oxytetracycline (OTC) and Cr(Ⅵ) in this study. The MnFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction composites exhibited outstanding catalytic performances for OTC and Cr(Ⅵ) removal, and more than 90% of OTC and nearly 100% of Cr(Ⅵ) were simultaneously removed within 1 min photocatalysis. The photo-generared electrons and holes played significant roles in Cr(Ⅵ) reduction and OTC degradation, respectively. Moreover, the heterojunction formed between g-C3N4 and MnFe2O4 effectively accelerated the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers. The OTC degradation was mainly initiated by cracking of benzene rings, degradation of substituents, and removal of groups such as -OH, -NH2, -CH3, and -CONH2, resulting in generation of small molecular substances; Cr(Ⅲ) was the main reduction product of Cr(Ⅵ). Meanwhile, the MnFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction composites also exhibited excellent stability and reusability in removal of OTC and Cr(Ⅵ).

Enhanced recovery of phosphorus from hypophosphite-laden wastewater via field-induced electro-Fenton coupled with anodic oxidation

Electrochemical recovered ferric phosphate (FePO4) precipitates from hypophosphite-laden wastewater were shown to be an efficient method for phosphorus (P) recovery. However, the influence of chloride ions (Cl-) coexisting commonly in wastewater is not known for this treatment. Herein, a field-induced electro-Fenton coupled with anodic oxidation electrochemical system consisting of a Ti-RuO2 anode, an Fe inductive electrode and an activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode, namely Ti-RuO2/Fe/ACF(NaCl) system, was established to recover phosphorus (P) as FePO4 from hypophosphite-laden wastewater in the presence of Cl-. This system enabled a hypophosphite (H2PO2-, 1.0 mM) removal ratio of ~100% and all P was recovered within 30 min at 5.0 V under the initial solution pH of 3.0. The Faradaic efficiency and energy consumption of P recovery achieved the maximum value (~94%) and the lowest value (~16 kW h kg-1 P), respectively. Reactive oxygen species including 1O2, FeIVO2+, •O2- and •OH contribute to convert H2PO2- to PO43-, which immediately formed FePO4 with the generated Fe3+ at the optimized conditions. Therein, the contribution of non-radical 1O2 was very considerable. This system exhibited good stability. The efficiency and cost for treatment of actual hypophosphite-laden wastewater were addressed to check its applicability for P recovery.

Recent advances and prospects in electrochemical coupling technologies for metal recovery from water

With the development of our society, the desire to recover valuable metal resources from metal-containing wastewaters or natural water bodies is becoming increasingly stronger nowadays. To overcome the limitations of single techniques, coupling technologies with synergistic effects are attracting increasing attention regarding metal resource recovery from water with particular interest in electrochemical coupling technologies in view of the advantages of electrochemical methods. This state-of-the-art review comprehensively presented the mechanisms and performance of electrochemical coupling systems for metal recovery from water. To give a clear overview of current research trends, technologies coupled with electrochemical processes can be categorized into six main types: electrochemical techniques, membrane modules, adsorption/extraction techniques, sonication technologies, energy supply techniques and others. The electrochemical coupling system has shown synergistic advantages (e.g., improving metal recovery efficiency, reducing energy consumption) over single technologies. We then discuss the remaining challenges, present corresponding solutions, and put forward future directions for current electrochemical coupled systems towards metal recovery. This review is conducive to broadening the potential applications of electrochemical coupling processes for metal recovery and sustainable water treatment.

Treatment of electroplating industry wastewater: a review on the various techniques

Water pollution by recalcitrant compounds is an increasingly important problem due to the continuous introduction of new chemicals into the environment. Choosing appropriate measures and developing successful strategies for eliminating hazardous wastewater contaminants from industrial processes is currently a primary goal. Electroplating industry wastewater involves highly toxic cyanide (CN), heavy metal ions, oils and greases, organic solvents, and the complicated composition of effluents and may also contain biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), SS, DS, TS, and turbidity. The availability of these metal ions in electroplating industry wastewater makes the water so toxic and corrosive. Because these heavy metals are harmful to living things, they must be removed to prevent them from being absorbed by plants, animals, and humans. As a result, exposure to electroplating wastewater can induce necrosis and nephritis in humans and lung cancer, digestive system cancer, anemia, hepatitis, and maxillary sinus cancer with prolonged exposure. For the safe discharge of electroplating industry effluents, appropriate wastewater treatment has to be provided. This article examines and assesses new approaches such as coagulation and flocculation, chemical precipitation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, adsorption, electrochemical treatment, and advanced oxidation process (AOP) for treating the electroplating industry wastewater. On the other hand, these physicochemical approaches have significant drawbacks, including a high initial investment and operating cost due to costly chemical reagents, the production of metal complexes sludge that needs additional treatment, and a long recovery process. At the same time, advanced techniques such as electrochemical treatment can remove various kinds of organic and inorganic contaminants such as BOD, COD, and heavy metals. The electrochemical treatment process has several advantages over traditional technologies, including complete removal of persistent organic pollutants, environmental friendliness, ease of integration with other conventional technologies, less sludge production, high separation, and shorter residence time. The effectiveness of the electrochemical treatment process depends on various parameters, including pH, electrode material, operation time, electrode gap, and current density. This review mainly emphasizes the removal of heavy metals and another pollutant such as CN from electroplating discharge. This paper will be helpful in the selection of efficient techniques for treatment based on the quantity and characteristics of the effluent produced.

Recovery of nickel from electroless nickel plating wastewater based on the synergy of electrocatalytic oxidation and electrodeposition technology

Nickel exists primarily as a stable complex in electroless nickel plating wastewater, and the Ni recovery from it cannot be achieved solely through electrodeposition. As the electrocatalytic oxidation has excellent oxidation potential to break down the complex, an efficient and stable electrochemical system using the synergy of electrocatalytic oxidation and electrochemical deposition technology was developed for the recovery of nickel from electroless nickel plating wastewater. In the present study, the effects of initial pH, current density, and initial nickel ion concentration on the treatment performance of the electrochemical system was investigated. The highest Ni recovery (94.84%) and total organic carbon removal (63.94%) were achieved at a current density of 83.3 mA/cm² , initial pH of 3.0, and initial Ni concentration of 0.01 M. At the same time, the recovered nickel product was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the electrochemical system displayed good stability and economic benefits, thereby suggesting its excellent application potential for the treatment of electroless nickel plating wastewater. PRACTITIONER POINTS: An efficient and stable electrochemical system was developed for the recovery of nickel from electroless nickel plating wastewater. In an acidic medium, the nickel recovery rate and TOC removal ratio were 94.84% and 63.94%, respectively. The system displayed good stability, thereby suggesting its excellent application potential for the treatment of nickel plating wastewater.

Electro-oxidation of Ni (II)-citrate complexes at BDD electrode and simultaneous recovery of metallic nickel by electrodeposition

The simultaneous electro-oxidation of Ni (II)-citrate and electrodeposition recovery of nickel metal were attempted in a combined electro-oxidation-electrodeposition reactor with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a polished titanium cathode. Effects of initial nickel citrate concentration, current density, initial pH, electrode spacing, electrolyte type, and initial electrolyte dosage on electrochemical performance were examined. The efficiencies of Ni (II)-citrate removal and nickel metal recovery were determined to be 100% and over 72%, respectively, under the optimized conditions (10 mA/cm², pH 4.09, 80 mmol/L Na₂SO₄, initial Ni (II)-citrate concentration of 75 mg/L, electrode spacing of 1 cm, and 180 min of electrolysis). Energy consumption increased with increased current density, and the energy consumption was 0.032 kWh/L at a current density of 10 mA/cm² (pH 6.58). The deposits at the cathode were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These characterization results indicated that the purity of metallic nickel in cathodic deposition was over 95%. The electrochemical system exhibited a prospective approach to oxidize metal complexes and recover metallic nickel.

Recovery of resources from industrial wastewater employing electrochemical technologies: status, advancements and perspectives

In the last two decades, water use has increased at twice the rate of population growth. The freshwater resources are getting polluted by contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons, organic waste, pathogens, fertilizers, and emerging pollutants. Globally more than 80% of the wastewater is released into the environment without proper treatment. Rapid industrialization has a dramatic effect on developing countries leading to significant losses to economic and health well-being in terms of toxicological impacts on humans and the environment through air, water, and soil pollution. This article provides an overview of physical, chemical, and biological processes to remove wastewater contaminants. A physical and/or chemical technique alone appears ineffective for recovering useful resources from wastewater containing complex components. There is a requirement for more processes or processes combined with membrane and biological processes to enhance operational efficiency and quality. More processes or those that are combined with biological and membrane-based processes are required to enhance operational efficiencies and quality. This paper intends to provide an exhaustive review of electrochemical technologies including microbial electrochemical technologies. It provides comprehensive information for the recovery of metals, nutrients, sulfur, hydrogen, and heat from industrial effluents. This article aims to give detailed information into the advancements in electrochemical processes to energy use, improve restoration performance, and achieve commercialization. It also covers bottlenecks and perspectives of this research area.

Treatment of Ni-EDTA containing wastewater by electrochemical degradation using Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays anode

Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) could form stable complexes with nickel due to its strong chelation. Ni-EDTA has significant impacts on human health because of its acute toxicity and low biodegradability, thus some appropriate approaches are required for its removal. In this research, a Ti³⁺ self-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays electrode (ECR-TiO₂ NTA) was prepared and employed in electrochemical degradation of Ni-EDTA. The oxygen evolution potential of ECR-TiO₂ NTA was 2.6 V vs. SCE. More than 96% Ni-EDTA and 88% TOC was removed after reaction for 120 min at current density 2 mA cm^-2 at pH 4.34. The degradation of Ni-EDTA was mainly through the cleavage of amine group within Ni-EDTA and furthermore decomposed it into small molecular acids and inorganic ions including NH₄⁺and NO₃^-. The electro-deposition of nickel ions at cathode was confirmed by XPS and was greatly affected by the pH of solution. The effects of current density, initial Ni-EDTA concentration, initial pH of solution and HCO₃^- concentration on Ni-EDTA degradation were investigated. The results exhibited that the ECR-TiO₂ NTA had excellent efficiencies in electrochemical degradation of Ni-EDTA. The LSV analysis suggested that Ni-EDTA oxidation on ECR-TiO₂ NTA anode and the production of hydroxyl radical (·OH) on the anode played an important role in the removal of Ni-EDTA.

Overview of recent developments of resource recovery from wastewater via electrochemistry-based technologies

As the rapid increase of the worldwide population, recovering valuable resources from wastewater have attracted more and more attention by governments and academia. Electrochemical technologies have been extensively investigated over the past three decades to purify wastewater. However, the application of these technologies for resource recovery from wastewater has just attracted limited attention. In this review, the recent (2010-2020) electrochemical technologies for resource recovery from wastewater are summarized and discussed for the first time. Fundamentals of typical electrochemical technologies are firstly summarized and analyzed, followed by the specific examples of electrochemical resource recovery technologies for different purposes. Based on the fundamentals of electrochemical reactions and without the addition of chemical agents, metallic ions, nutrients, sulfur, hydrogen and chemical compounds can be effectively recovered by means of electrochemical reduction, electrochemical induced precipitation, electrochemical stripping, electrochemical oxidation and membrane-based electrochemical processes, etc. Pros and cons of each electrochemical technology in practical applications are discussed and analyzed. Single-step electrochemical process seems ineffectively to recover valuable resources from the wastewater with complicated constituents. Multiple-step processes or integrated with biological and membrane-based technologies are essential to improve the performance and purity of products. Consequently, this review attempts to offer in-depth insights into the developments of next-generation of electrochemical technologies to minimize energy consumption, boost recovery efficiency and realize the commercial application.

Removal of low concentrations of nickel ions in electroplating wastewater by combination of electrodialysis and electrodeposition

The low concentration of nickel in electroplating wastewater is difficult to treat to meet the discharge standard. In this study, a commercial cation exchange membrane was used to combine the electrodialysis on a titanium plate anode sintered ruthenium-iridium and the electrodeposition on a stainless steel cathode to reduce the nickel concentration to less 0.1 mg L^-1. The electrolytic properties of the electrodialysis combined with the electrodeposition were investigated at different cell voltages, electrolysis time, initial electrolyte pH, electrolyte flow rates and initial Ni²⁺ concentrations. The results indicated that the Ni²⁺ concentration in the anolyte and the catholyte could be reduced to 0.015 and 0.085 mg L^-1, respectively, with the initial Ni²⁺ concentration of 1.0 mg L^-1, which could meet the most strict Ni²⁺ discharge standard of 0.1 mg L^-1. The electrodeposition of Ni²⁺ on the cathode enhanced the migration of the Ni²⁺ in the electrolytes, which was beneficial to decrease the energy consumption. Therefore, the combination of electrodialysis and electrodeposition was promising to reduce the low concentration of Ni²⁺ in the electroplating wastewater.

Recovery of Phosphorus from Hypophosphite-Laden Wastewater: A Single-Compartment Photoelectrocatalytic Cell System Integrating Oxidation and Precipitation

Recovery of phosphorus through precipitation from hypophosphite-laden wastewater is more difficult than from orthophosphate-laden wastewater because of the higher solubility of hypophosphite (H₂PO₂^-). Herein, a single-compartment photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) cell system consisting of a TiO₂/Ni-Sb-SnO₂ bifunctional photoanode and an activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode with dosing Fe²⁺ ions was developed for recovery of phosphorus in the form of FePO₄ from hypophosphite-laden wastewater. In the PEC process, H₂PO₂^- with an initial concentration of 1.0 mM was completely oxidized and recovered within 30 min at 3.0 V, and the pseudo-first-order rate constant of H₂PO₂^- oxidation was ∼4 times than that in the electrocatalytic process and even ∼89 times than that in the photocatalytic process. The bifunctional photoanode can simultaneously generate ^•OH radicals and O₃; the ACF cathode can electrogenerate H₂O₂; H₂O₂, O₃, and the added Fe²⁺ can interact with each other to produce ^•OH radicals and Fe³⁺ ions. ^•OH radicals mainly from the Fenton process were responsible for oxidation of H₂PO₂^- to PO₄^3-, which immediately combined with Fe³⁺ to form FePO₄ at the optimized conditions to realize recovery of phosphorus. The long-term stability of this system was demonstrated. The efficiency for actual electroless nickel plating effluents was exhibited.

Recovery of nickel ions from wastewater by precipitation approach using silica xerogel

A facile route was developed to recover nickel ions from a synthetic wastewater. It involved the use of silica xerogel containing amine in the nickel sulphate solution resulting in the formation of a greenish precipitate. It was found that this precipitate was mostly amorphous Ni(OH)₂ spherical aggregate composed of nanosheets. The pH level of the solution was monitored, and it was maintained in the range of 10-10.5 due to the steady release of amine from the xerogel into the waste solution. The prepared silica xerogel would provide a stable environment for the chemical precipitation of metal ions in wastewater during the whole precipitation process. The silica xerogel was collected and reused for two more cycles of recovery. The nickel removal efficiencies (99.34˜99.65%) kept unchanged and higher than those reported earlier. The collected precipitate that contained nickel hydroxide with some residual silica could be utilized as glass colorant.

Pulse electrodeposited nickel with structure directing agents as an electrocatalyst for oxidation of glycerol

Electrodeposition of Ni, Ni–CA and Ni–TBr on mild steel using a pulse technique for electro-oxidation of glycerol.

Ti4O7/g-C3N4 for Visible Light Photocatalytic Oxidation of Hypophosphite: Effect of Mass Ratio of Ti4O7/g-C3N4

Hypophosphite wastewater treatment is still a critical issue in metallurgical processes and the oxidation of hypophosphite to phosphate followed by the precipitation of phosphate is an important strategy for hypophosphite wastewater treatment. Herein, Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts with various mass ratios (Ti₄O₇ (m): g-C₃N₄ (m) = 0.5, 0.2, 0.1, and 0.05) were synthesized by a hydrolysis method and the effect of the mass ratio of Ti₄O₇ (m): g-C₃N₄ (m) on Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ visible light photocatalytic oxidation of hypophosphite was evaluated. The as-prepared Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ were characterized and confirmed by SEM, XPS, XRD and FTIR. Moreover, the specific surface area and the distribution of pore size of Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ was also analyzed. Our results showed that Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ exhibited remarkably improved photocatalytic performance on hypophosphite oxidation compared with g-C₃N₄ and meanwhile 1:2-Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ with a mass ratio of 0.5 showed the best photocatalytic performance with the highest oxidation rate constant (17.7-fold and 91.0-fold higher than that of pure g-C₃N₄ and Ti₄O₇, respectively). The enhanced performance of photocatalytic oxidation of hypophosphite was ascribed to the heterojunction structure of Ti₄O₇/g-C₃N₄ with broader light absorption and significantly enhanced efficiency of the charge carrier (e⁻-h⁺) generation and separation. Additionally, the generated ·OH and ·O2- radicals contributed to the hypophosphite oxidation during the photocatalytic system.