Extractant and its application, method and apparatus for removing nickel from nickel-containing cobalt solution, and cobalt solution

Abstract

Provided are an extractant comprising at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, a method for removing nickel using the extractant, a cobalt solution obtained using the method, and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211735276.5, entitled "Extractant and its application, method and apparatus for removing nickel from nickel-containing cobalt solution, and cobalt solution," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on December 31, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of chemistry, and more particularly to extractants and their applications, methods and apparatus for removing nickel from nickel-containing cobalt solutions, cobalt solutions, elemental cobalt, electronic components, and electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Cobalt (Co) is an important strategic metal that is widely used in aerospace, motors and electrical equipment, machinery, chemistry, ceramics, batteries, etc. High-purity cobalt has excellent semiconducting, magnetic, and conductive properties, making it an important material for fabricating magnetic recording media, magnetic recording heads, photoelectric devices, integrated circuits for magnetic sensors, and other components. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Current cobalt preparation methods typically involve purifying the cobalt solution by removing impurities from the cobalt solution to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution, followed by electrolysis to obtain high-purity metallic cobalt. Impurity removal and purification methods primarily include chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and solvent extraction. Impurity removal and purification methods are primarily used to remove metal impurities (e.g., copper, iron, zinc, aluminum, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and nickel) from the cobalt solution. However, because cobalt and nickel (Ni) have similar properties, it is difficult to thoroughly remove nickel from the cobalt solution using conventional techniques, resulting in a high nickel content in the resulting cobalt solution, which ultimately affects the purity of the metallic cobalt.

[0005] Therefore, how to deeply remove trace amounts of impurity nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution has become an urgent problem to be solved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the embodiments of the present application, there are provided an extractant and its application, a method and apparatus for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution, a cobalt solution, elemental cobalt, electronic components, and electronic devices, which are capable of removing impurity nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution to obtain a high-purity cobalt solution.

[0007] In a first aspect, an extractant is provided, the extractant comprising at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, by using an extractant containing at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with one or more of naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, thereby removing nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and obtaining a cobalt solution from which nickel has been removed.

[0009] With respect to the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the general formula of naphthalenesulfonic acid is shown as formula (I):

[0010] [ka] In formula (I), R1 is alkyl, R2 is alkyl, M is any metal salt or hydrogen ion, and n is a positive integer of 1 or greater.

[0011] In the embodiment of the present application, by using naphthalenesulfonic acid, nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with the naphthalenesulfonic acid, thereby removing nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and separating cobalt and nickel.

[0012] With respect to the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the general formula of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is shown as formula (II):

[0013] [ka] In formula (II), R1 is alkyl and R2 is alkyl.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, by using a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, thereby removing nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and separating cobalt and nickel.

[0015] Regarding the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the formula of R1 is CH3(CH2) m and the chemical formula of R2 is CH3(CH2) p and m and p are positive integers of 1 or greater.

[0016] With respect to the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the value of m is 8 or greater and 10 or less.

[0017] Regarding the first aspect, in one implementation of the first aspect, the value of p is 8 or greater and 10 or less.

[0018] With respect to the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the concentration of naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0019] With respect to the first aspect, in certain embodiments of the first aspect, the concentration of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present application, the extraction rate of nickel in a nickel-containing cobalt solution may be adjusted by adjusting the concentration of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant. The extraction rate corresponding to an extractant containing naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is higher than the extraction rate corresponding to an extractant containing only naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine. When the extractant contains naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, the higher the concentration of dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant, the higher the extraction rate of nickel.

[0021] In a second aspect, there is provided the application of an extractant according to the first aspect, or according to any conceivable embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the extractant is used to remove nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0022] In a third aspect, there is provided a method for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution, the method comprising the steps of obtaining an organic phase comprising an extractant according to the first aspect or any conceivable embodiment of the first aspect, and performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution with the organic phase to obtain a nickel-depleted cobalt solution.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present application, an organic phase containing one or more of naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is used, and nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution forms a complex with the naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine and enters the organic phase, removing nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution and producing a nickel-free cobalt solution. Furthermore, because naphthalenesulfonic acid and one or more of dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine have a high ability to form a complex with nickel, the extraction rate of nickel impurities in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be increased, resulting in a high-purity cobalt solution.

[0024] Regarding the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, the step of performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution with the organic phase includes saponifying the organic phase with a first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase; and performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present application, the organic phase may be saponified with a first cobalt solution, which improves the ability of the extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to form a complex with nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution, thereby increasing the extraction rate of nickel.

[0026] Regarding the third aspect, in certain embodiments of the third aspect, the organic phase further comprises a diluent, and the volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is 5% or more and 80% or less.

[0027] In this embodiment of the present application, when the extractant is dissolved using a diluent and the nickel-containing cobalt solution is extracted using an organic phase, the extractant can be more fully contacted with the nickel-containing cobalt solution, thereby increasing the extraction rate of nickel.

[0028] Regarding the third aspect, in certain embodiments of the third aspect, the diluent is an organic diluent, and the diluent comprises at least one of sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or a higher carbon alcohol.

[0029] With regard to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the extraction comprises any one or more of co-current extraction, split-current extraction, counter-current extraction, or cross-current extraction.

[0030] Regarding the third aspect, in certain embodiments of the third aspect, the number of stages of extraction is between 1 and 10.

[0031] Regarding the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1 or more and 5 or less.

[0032] In this embodiment of the present application, when the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is low, the extraction rate is easily affected and a low extraction rate is obtained. When the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a certain value, the extraction rate reaches a limit. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the pH value too high.

[0033] Regarding the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, the temperature of the extraction is 10°C or higher and 50°C or lower.

[0034] Regarding the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, when the extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the organic phase, the volumetric flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 1:10 and less than or equal to 10:1.

[0035] In this embodiment of the present application, when the volumetric flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is low, the extraction rate is likely to decrease. However, when the volumetric flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a certain value, the extraction rate reaches a limit. Therefore, there is no need to set an excessively high volumetric flow ratio, and waste of resources is avoided.

[0036] Regarding the third aspect, in certain embodiments of the third aspect, the first cobalt solution is a 4N cobalt solution.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a nickel removal apparatus for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, the apparatus having, in communication with each other, a feed inlet, an extraction box, and a discharge outlet, in that order, the apparatus configured to perform a method according to the third aspect, or a method according to any envisioned embodiment of the third aspect.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, a cobalt solution is provided. The cobalt solution includes an extractant according to the first aspect or any contemplated embodiment of the first aspect. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by using a method according to the third aspect or any contemplated embodiment of the third aspect. Alternatively, the cobalt solution is prepared by a nickel removal apparatus according to the fourth aspect.

[0039] Regarding the fifth aspect, in certain embodiments of the fifth aspect, the concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 grams per liter (g / L) and less than or equal to 1 g / L.

[0040] Regarding the fifth aspect, in certain embodiments of the fifth aspect, the concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0041] In this embodiment of the present application, a cobalt solution with a low nickel concentration can be obtained, resulting in deep separation of cobalt and nickel.

[0042] Regarding the fifth aspect, in certain embodiments of the fifth aspect, a concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the cobalt solution is 1,000 or more and 30,000 or less.

[0043] In this embodiment of the present application, a cobalt solution having a high concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel can be obtained, and cobalt and nickel can be separated deeply.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, elemental cobalt is provided, prepared by using a cobalt solution according to the fifth aspect or a cobalt solution according to any envisioned embodiment of the fifth aspect.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, there is provided an electronic component, the electronic component comprising elemental cobalt according to the sixth aspect.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, there is provided an electronic device, the electronic device comprising an electronic component according to the seventh aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 is a flow chart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a flow chart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an apparatus for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] Hereinafter, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are intended merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," "the," "said," "this," and "the," used in the specification and the appended claims, are intended to include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the following embodiments of the present application, it should be further understood that "at least one" and "one or more" mean one, two, or more. The term "and / or" is used to describe a relationship between related objects and means that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following cases: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present. Here, A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects.

[0050] In describing the embodiments of the present application, the range of values ​​mentioned may have two end values ​​of the range, for example, a value in the range of 8 to 10 may mean a value between 8 and 10.

[0051] References herein to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," and the like mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "in some other embodiments," and "in other embodiments" appearing in different places throughout this specification are not necessarily meant to refer to the same embodiment. Rather, such phrases mean "one or more, but excluding all embodiments," unless specifically emphasized otherwise. The terms "including," "comprising," and "having," and variations thereof, all mean "including, but not limited to," unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0052] The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application may be applied to various nickel-containing cobalt solutions, such as nickel-containing cobalt sulfate solution, nickel-containing cobalt acetate solution, nickel-containing cobalt nitrate solution, and nickel-containing cobalt chloride solution, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0053] 1 is a flow chart of a method for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0054] S110: Obtain the organic phase.

[0055] The organic phase includes an extractant, and the extractant includes at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine. The specific example of the step of obtaining the organic phase is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the extractant may be directly obtained based on a naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical or a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine. Alternatively, a naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical and a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine may be mixed to obtain an extractant containing naphthalenesulfonic acid and a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine. The naphthalenesulfonic acid-type chemical is a chemical containing naphthalenesulfonic acid, such as sodium naphthalenesulfonate, aluminum naphthalenesulfonate, or magnesium naphthalenesulfonate. This is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0056] In some embodiments, the assumed chemical formula for naphthalene sulfonic acid is:

[0057] [ka] is.

[0058] C 10represents 10 carbon atoms, H5 represents 5 hydrogen atoms, S represents a sulfur atom, and O3 represents 3 oxygen atoms. In the chemical formula of naphthalenesulfonic acid, the n at the bottom right represents the number of naphthalenesulfonic acid structures, and n is a positive integer of 1 or greater. M is any metal salt or hydrogen ion, and the metal salt may be, for example, a sodium ion, an aluminum ion, or a magnesium ion. One naphthalenesulfonic acid structure has one negative charge, and n naphthalenesulfonic acid structures have n negative charges, so M must have n positive charges. M n+ represents that M has n positive charges. R1 is alkyl and R2 is alkyl. R1 and R2 may be the same or different alkyls.

[0059] In some embodiments, M is preferably a hydrogen ion, which avoids the low purity of cobalt in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution that results from the introduction of new metal ions into the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0060] In some embodiments, the formula of R1 is CH3(CH2) m and m in R1 represents that one R1 structure contains m CH2 structures, and m is a positive integer of 1 or more.

[0061] In one embodiment, the value of m ranges from 8 to 10, ie, the value of m is 8 or greater and 10 or less.

[0062] In some embodiments, the formula of R2 is CH3(CH2) p and p in R2 represents that one R2 structure contains p CH2 structures, and p is a positive integer of 1 or more.

[0063] In one embodiment, the value of p ranges from 8 to 10, ie, the value of p is greater than or equal to 8 and less than or equal to 10.

[0064] In some embodiments, the concentration of naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is greater than or equal to 15% and less than or equal to 100%.

[0065] In one embodiment, a contemplated general formula for naphthalenesulfonic acid is shown as Formula 1:

[0066] [ka] In some embodiments, the assumed formula of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is:

[0067] [ka] N3 represents three nitrogen atoms. R1 and R2 are the same as R1 and R2 in naphthalenesulfonic acid, and will not be described in detail again here.

[0068] In some embodiments, a contemplated general formula for the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is represented as Formula 2:

[0069] [ka] In some embodiments, the concentration of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is 50% or more and 100% or less.

[0070] Preferably, when the extractant contains naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, the concentration of naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant may be in the range of 15% to 50%, and the concentration of dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant may be in the range of 50% to 85%. When the extractant contains naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, a higher concentration of dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine increases the extraction rate of nickel by the extractant.

[0071] In some embodiments, an extractant is used to remove nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0072] In some embodiments, the organic phase further comprises a diluent, which is used to dissolve the extractant.

[0073] In some embodiments, the diluent may be an organic diluent. The diluent may be at least one of sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or a high carbon alcohol. The high carbon alcohol may be a C8 to C6 13 The alcohol may be any one or more of the higher carbon alcohols listed above.

[0074] In some embodiments, the organic phase may contain an extractant and a diluent. The volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is 5% to 80%, i.e., the volume of the extractant occupies 5% to 80% of the volume of the organic phase. This is not a limitation of the present embodiment.

[0075] S120: Extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the organic phase to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0076] After the organic phase is obtained, the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be subjected to extraction using the organic phase, so that nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution enters the organic phase, and a nickel-removed cobalt solution may be obtained. The nickel-removed cobalt solution has a high purity.

[0077] In some embodiments, when the nickel-containing cobalt solution is extracted with the organic phase, a nickel-containing organic phase may also be obtained. In other words, nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is removed into the organic phase, in which case the organic phase becomes a nickel-containing organic phase, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution becomes a nickel-depleted cobalt solution.

[0078] In some embodiments, the nickel-containing cobalt solution is an acidic solution, and its pondus hydrogenii (pH) value is between 1 and 5. If the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is low, the nickel extraction rate will be low. When the pH value of the nickel-containing cobalt solution reaches a certain level, the nickel extraction rate will reach a limit. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the pH value too high.

[0079] In some embodiments, the pH value of the nickel-containing solution may be adjusted by adding an acidic or alkaline substance to the nickel-containing cobalt solution. The specific acidic or alkaline substance is not limited to the embodiments of the present application. An acidic substance is a substance whose pH value is less than 7, and an alkaline substance is a substance whose pH value is greater than 7.

[0080] In some embodiments, the extraction includes single-stage extraction or multi-stage extraction. Alternatively, the extraction includes any one or more of cocurrent extraction, split-current extraction, countercurrent extraction, cross-current extraction, etc. This is not limited to the embodiments of the present application. In other words, the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be subjected to any one or more of the following extractions using an organic phase: single-stage or multi-stage cocurrent extraction, single-stage or multi-stage split-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage countercurrent extraction, or single-stage or multi-stage cross-current extraction.

[0081] In some embodiments, the number of extraction stages may be 1 to 10, and the temperature of the extraction is 10° C. or higher and 50° C. or lower. This is not a limitation of the embodiments of the present application.

[0082] In some embodiments, when an extraction is performed on a nickel-containing cobalt solution using an organic phase, the volumetric flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1:10 or more and 10:1 or less, in other words, the ratio of the fluid volumes of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution passing through the same flow cross section per unit time is between 1:10 and 10:1.

[0083] In some embodiments, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is 1,000 or greater and 30,000 or less.

[0084] In some embodiments, the concentration of the extractant in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is 0.001 gram / liter (g / L) or more and 1 g / L or less.

[0085] In some embodiments, the nickel concentration in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0086] In some embodiments, before the nickel-containing cobalt solution is extracted with the organic phase, the organic phase may first be saponified with a first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. The nickel-containing cobalt solution is then extracted with the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to obtain a nickel-depleted cobalt solution. For specific examples, see the description of Figure 2.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present application, nickel is selectively extracted from a nickel-containing cobalt solution using an extractant including at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, resulting in a high-purity cobalt solution, and nickel and cobalt in the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be deeply separated. Furthermore, the nickel removal method in the embodiment of the present application has a short process, a high nickel extraction rate, low chemical consumption, low cost, and is easy to industrialize.

[0088] 2 is a schematic flow chart of a nickel removal method for a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0089] S210: The extractant and diluent are mixed to obtain an organic phase.

[0090] The extractant may include one or more of naphthalenesulfonic acid and dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine, and the diluent may be an organic diluent. The organic phase can be obtained by mixing the extractant and diluent. The specific method, temperature, etc., used for mixing the extractant and diluent are not limited in the present embodiment. The extractant and diluent are similar to those used in S110, and will not be described in detail again here.

[0091] In some embodiments, the volume fraction ratio of extractant to diluent in the organic phase is 5:95 or more and 80:20 or less.

[0092] If necessary, step S210 may or may not be performed. In other words, the organic phase containing the extractant and diluent may be obtained directly.

[0093] S220: The organic phase is saponified with a first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase.

[0094] After the organic phase is obtained, the organic phase may be subjected to a cobalt-containing saponification to enhance the ability of the extractant to complex with nickel in the organic phase.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first cobalt solution includes cobalt. The purity of the cobalt in the first cobalt solution may be at least 99.9%. Specifically, the first cobalt solution may be a 3N cobalt solution or a 4N cobalt solution. A 3N cobalt solution represents a cobalt solution with a purity of 99.9%, and a 4N cobalt solution represents a cobalt solution with a purity of 99.99%.

[0096] In some embodiments, the cobalt-containing saponification is carried out by mixing the organic phase with the first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. The specific method, temperature, mixing ratio, etc. for mixing the organic phase with the first cobalt solution are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0097] S230: The nickel-containing cobalt solution is extracted with the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution.

[0098] After the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase is obtained, the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be subjected to extraction using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, so that nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution enters the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, and a nickel-removed cobalt solution may be obtained.

[0099] In some embodiments, when the nickel-containing cobalt solution is extracted with the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, a nickel-containing organic phase may also be obtained. In other words, nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is removed into the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, in which case the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase becomes the nickel-containing organic phase, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution becomes the nickel-depleted cobalt solution.

[0100] In one embodiment, the nickel-containing cobalt solution is similar to the nickel-containing cobalt solution in S120 and will not be described again in detail here.

[0101] In some embodiments, the nickel-containing cobalt solution may be subjected to any one or more of the following extractions with the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase: single-stage or multi-stage co-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage split-current extraction, single-stage or multi-stage counter-current extraction, or single-stage or multi-stage cross-current extraction.

[0102] In some embodiments, the number of extraction stages may be 1 to 10, and the temperature of the extraction is 10° C. or higher and 50° C. or lower. This is not a limitation of the embodiments of the present application.

[0103] In some embodiments, when extraction is performed on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1:10 or more and 10:1 or less.

[0104] In some embodiments, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is 1,000 or greater and 30,000 or less.

[0105] In some embodiments, the concentration of the extractant in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is from 0.001 g / L to 1 g / L.

[0106] In some embodiments, the nickel concentration in the nickel-depleted cobalt solution is greater than or equal to 0.001 g / L and less than or equal to 0.25 g / L.

[0107] For example, assume that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene (i.e., diluent), and that the nickel-containing cobalt solution has a cobalt concentration of 31.89 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.52 g / L. In other words, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is approximately 31.89 / 0.52 ≒ 61.33. When the volumetric flow ratio O / A of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is different, a one-stage extraction is performed, with the mixing time for extraction set to 10 minutes (min) and the temperature set to 30°C. In this case, the relevant data that can be obtained are shown in Table 1.

[0108] [Table 1] In Table 1, O / A represents the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution, and Raffinate is the cobalt solution from which nickel has been removed. The nickel extraction rate is calculated as follows: (nickel concentration in nickel-containing cobalt solution - nickel concentration in raffinate) / Nickel concentration in nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0109] As can be seen from Table 1, when the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1:1, the cobalt concentration in the raffinate is 32.72 g / L, the nickel concentration is 0.2 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio is about 163.6, and the nickel extraction rate is about 61.54%. When the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 8:1, the cobalt concentration in the raffinate is 40.29 g / L, the nickel concentration is 0.04 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio is about 1007.25, and the nickel extraction rate is about 92.31%.

[0110] Furthermore, Table 1 shows that the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution significantly affects the nickel extraction rate, with a higher volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution resulting in a higher nickel extraction rate. In the nickel removal method of the present embodiment, the nickel concentration in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be reduced from 520 milligrams per liter (mg / L) to 200 mg / L or even to 40 mg / L. Correspondingly, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio in the nickel-containing cobalt solution can be increased from 61.33 to 1007.25.

[0111] For example, assume that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and that the nickel-containing cobalt solution has a cobalt concentration of 31.89 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.52 g / L. When the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 4:1, a simulated five-stage countercurrent extraction is performed, with the extraction mixing time set to 10 minutes and the temperature set to 25°C. In this case, the relevant data that can be obtained are shown in Table 2.

[0112] [Table 2] As shown in Table 2, the raffinate obtained in the 10th row had a cobalt concentration of 34.2 g / L, a nickel concentration of 0.0019 g / L, a cobalt to nickel concentration ratio of about 18000, and a nickel extraction rate of about 99.63%. The raffinate obtained in the 13th row had a cobalt concentration of 35.4 g / L, a nickel concentration of 0.0019 g / L, a cobalt to nickel concentration ratio of about 18632, and a nickel extraction rate of about 99.63%.

[0113] Furthermore, as can be seen from Table 2, after the simulated five-stage countercurrent extraction, the nickel concentration in the raffinate decreases from 520 mg / L to less than 2 mg / L, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel increases from 61.33 to at least 18,000, and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.6%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of the present application can deeply remove impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0114] For example, assume that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution has a cobalt concentration of 31.89 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.52 g / L. When the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 2:1, a five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, the mixing time for the extraction is set to 10 minutes, and the temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, the relevant data that can be obtained are shown in Table 3.

[0115] [Table 3] As can be seen from Table 3, in the raffinate obtained from the first extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, the cobalt concentration was 33.94 g / L, the nickel concentration was 0.2036 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio was about 167, and the nickel extraction rate was about 60.85%. In the raffinate obtained from the fifth extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction, the cobalt concentration was 35.81 g / L, the nickel concentration was 0.0029 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio was about 12348, and the nickel extraction rate was about 99.44%.

[0116] Furthermore, Table 3 shows that the amount of extraction has a significant effect on the nickel extraction rate, and the larger the amount of extraction, the higher the nickel extraction rate. After five cross-current extraction stages, the nickel concentration in the raffinate decreases from 520 mg / L to less than 3 mg / L, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel increases from 61.33 to more than 12,000, and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.4%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of the present application can deeply remove impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0117] For example, assume that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 70% extractant and 30% sulfonated kerosene, and the nickel-containing cobalt solution has a cobalt concentration of 31.89 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.52 g / L. When the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 2:1, a five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, the mixing time for the extraction is set to 10 minutes, and the temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, the relevant data that can be obtained are shown in Table 4.

[0118] [Table 4] The cobalt-containing saponified organic phase in Table 4 contains 70% extractant, while the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase in Table 3 contains only 50% extractant, so when other extraction conditions are the same, the data in Table 4 are different from those in Table 3.

[0119] As can be seen from Table 4, when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 70% extractant, the raffinate obtained in the first extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction has a cobalt concentration of 39.78 g / L, a nickel concentration of 0.2337 g / L, a cobalt to nickel concentration ratio of about 170, and a nickel extraction rate of about 55.06%. When the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 70% extractant, the raffinate obtained in the fifth extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction has a cobalt concentration of 36.36 g / L, a nickel concentration of 0.0014 g / L, a cobalt to nickel concentration ratio of about 25971, and a nickel extraction rate of about 99.73%.

[0120] Table 4 also shows that when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 70% extractant, after five cross-current extraction stages, the nickel concentration in the raffinate can be reduced from 520 mg / L to 1.4 mg / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio increases from 61.33 to more than 25,000, and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.7%. In other words, the method of this embodiment of the present application can deeply remove impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution. Tables 3 and 4 also show that the content of extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase has a significant effect on the nickel extraction rate, and the higher the content of extractant in the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, the higher the nickel extraction rate.

[0121] For example, assume that the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 50% extractant and 50% sulfonated kerosene, and that the nickel-containing cobalt solution has a cobalt concentration of 34.33 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.6061 g / L. In other words, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel is approximately 56.64. When the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 5:1, a five-stage cross-current extraction is performed, the mixing time for extraction is set to 10 minutes, and the temperature is set to 30°C. In this case, the relevant data that can be obtained are shown in Table 5.

[0122] [Table 5] As can be seen from Table 5, when the cobalt concentration in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 34.33 g / L and the nickel concentration is 0.6061 g / L, the raffinate obtained from the first extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction has a cobalt concentration of 38.14 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.1543 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio is about 247, and the nickel extraction rate is about 70.33%. When the cobalt concentration in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 34.33 g / L and the nickel concentration is 0.6061 g / L, the raffinate obtained from the fifth extraction of the five-stage cross-current extraction has a cobalt concentration of 38.8 g / L and a nickel concentration of 0.0015 g / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio is about 25867, and the nickel extraction rate is about 99.71%.

[0123] Furthermore, Table 5 shows that when the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase contains 50% extractant, the cobalt concentration in the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 34.33 g / L, the nickel concentration is 0.6061 g / L, and the volumetric flow ratio of the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 5:1, the nickel concentration in the raffinate after five cross-current extractions decreases from 606.1 mg / L to 1.5 mg / L, the cobalt to nickel concentration ratio increases from 56.64 to more than 25,000, and the nickel extraction rate can reach more than 99.7%. In other words, the method in this embodiment of the present application can deeply remove impurity nickel from the nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0124] From the data in Tables 1 to 5, it can be seen that the nickel removal method in this embodiment of the present application can achieve a nickel extraction rate of more than 99.7%, and the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the resulting raffinate can reach more than 25000. In other words, the nickel removal method in this embodiment of the present application can achieve deep separation of cobalt and nickel.

[0125] 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an apparatus for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution according to an embodiment of the present application. The nickel removal apparatus 300 in FIG. 3 has a supply inlet 301, an extraction box 310, and a discharge outlet 302, which are connected in this order. The nickel removal apparatus 300 may implement the method shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.

[0126] In some embodiments, feed inlet 301 may be configured to introduce an organic phase and / or a nickel-containing cobalt solution. Alternatively, feed inlet 301 may be configured to introduce at least one of an organic phase, a first cobalt solution, or a nickel-containing cobalt solution. Alternatively, feed inlet 301 may be configured to introduce a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase or a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

[0127] In some embodiments, extraction box 310 may be configured to perform extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the organic phase. Alternatively, extraction box 310 may be configured to saponify the organic phase with a first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase, and then perform extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase. Alternatively, extraction box 310 may be configured to perform extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution using the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase.

[0128] In some embodiments, the discharge outlet 302 may be configured to discharge the nickel-depleted cobalt solution. Alternatively, the discharge outlet 302 may be configured to discharge the nickel-containing organic phase and the nickel-depleted cobalt solution.

[0129] In one embodiment of the present application, a cobalt solution may be provided. The cobalt solution includes the extractant described in S110. Alternatively, the cobalt solution may be prepared by using the method shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3. Alternatively, the cobalt solution may be prepared by the nickel removal device described above.

[0130] In some embodiments, the concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is from 0.001 g / L to 1 g / L.

[0131] In one embodiment, the concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is 0.001 g / L or more and 0.25 g / L or less.

[0132] In some embodiments, the concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the cobalt solution is 1,000 or greater and 30,000 or less.

[0133] In one embodiment of the present application, elemental cobalt may be further provided, which is prepared using the cobalt solution described above.

[0134] In one embodiment of the present application, an electronic component may be provided, the electronic component including the aforementioned cobalt element.

[0135] In one embodiment of the present application, there may be further provided an electronic device, which includes the electronic components described above.

[0136] The above description relates to only specific embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. It should be noted that any modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, it should be noted that the scope of protection of the present application is subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An extractant comprising at least one of naphthalenesulfonic acid or a dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine.

2. The general formula of the naphthalenesulfonic acid is formula (I): 【Chemistry 1】 is expressed as 2. The extractant of claim 1, wherein in formula (I), R1 is alkyl, R2 is alkyl, M is any metal salt or hydrogen ion, and n is a positive integer of 1 or more.

3. The general formula of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine is Formula (II): 【Chemistry 2】 is expressed as 3. The extractant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in formula (II), R1 is alkyl and R2 is alkyl.

4. The chemical formula for R1 is CH3(CH2) m and the chemical formula of R2 is CH3(CH2) p and m and p are positive integers of 1 or greater.

5. 5. The extractant according to claim 4, wherein the value of m is 8 or more and 10 or less.

6. 6. The extractant according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the value of p is 8 or more and 10 or less.

7. 7. The extractant according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the naphthalenesulfonic acid in the extractant is 15% or more and 100% or less.

8. 8. The extractant according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the dialkyl(pyridylmethyl)amine in the extractant is 50% or more and 100% or less.

9. Application of the extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The extractant is used to remove nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution.

10. A method for removing nickel from a nickel-containing cobalt solution, comprising: Obtaining an organic phase, said organic phase comprising an extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8; performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution with the organic phase to obtain a nickel-depleted cobalt solution; A method comprising:

11. performing extraction on the nickel-containing cobalt solution with the organic phase, saponifying the organic phase with a first cobalt solution to obtain a cobalt-containing saponified organic phase; extracting the nickel-containing cobalt solution with the cobalt-containing saponified organic phase to obtain a nickel-removed cobalt solution; 11. The method of claim 10, comprising:

12. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the organic phase further comprises a diluent, and the volume fraction of the extractant in the organic phase is 5% or more and 80% or less.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the diluent is an organic diluent, the diluent comprising at least one of sulfonated kerosene, No. 260 solvent oil, aviation kerosene, or a high carbon alcohol.

14. 14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the extraction comprises one or more of co-current extraction, split-current extraction, counter-current extraction, or cross-current extraction.

15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the number of extraction stages is between 1 and 10.

16. 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the pH of the nickel-containing cobalt solution is 1 or more and 5 or less.

17. 17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the temperature of the extraction is between 10°C and 50°C.

18. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the volumetric flow ratio of the organic phase to the nickel-containing cobalt solution when extraction is carried out with the organic phase is 1:10 or more and 10:1 or less.

19. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first cobalt solution is a 4N cobalt solution.

20. 1. A nickel removal apparatus for a nickel-containing cobalt solution, comprising: having a feed inlet, an extraction box, and a discharge outlet, in that order, in communication with each other; 20. A nickel removal apparatus, the apparatus being configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 10 to 19.

21. A cobalt solution comprising: The extractant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The cobalt solution is prepared using a method according to any one of claims 10 to 19, or 21. A cobalt solution prepared by the nickel removal device of claim 20.

22. 22. The cobalt solution of claim 21, wherein the concentration of the extractant in the cobalt solution is from 0.001 grams per liter (g / L) to 1 g / L, inclusive.

23. 23. The cobalt solution according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the concentration of nickel in the cobalt solution is 0.001 g / L or more and 0.25 g / L or less.

24. 24. The cobalt solution according to claim 21, wherein a concentration ratio of cobalt to nickel in the cobalt solution is 1,000 or more and 30,000 or less.

25. Elemental cobalt prepared using the cobalt solution of any one of claims 21 to 24.

26. 26. An electronic component comprising the cobalt element according to claim 25.

27. An electronic device comprising the electronic component according to claim 26.

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