Direct generation of Zn metal using laser-induced ZnS to eradicate carbon emissions from electrolysis Zn production

doi:10.1007/s11783-024-1767-8

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (1) : 7 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1767-8

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Direct generation of Zn metal using laser-induced ZnS to eradicate carbon emissions from electrolysis Zn production

Ying Chen^1,², Ning Duan^1,²(

), Linhua Jiang^1,²(

), Fuyuan Xu^1,², Guangbin Zhu³, Yao Wang^1,², Yong Liu⁴, Wen Cheng^1,², Yanli Xu^1,²

¹. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
². Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
³. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
⁴. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, China

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Abstract

● An optical metallurgy is proposed to directly generate Zn⁰ from ZnS using laser.

● Zn⁰ and S₈ can be detected on the surface of ZnS at a high laser fluence.

● The generation mechanism of Zn⁰ and S₈ was explored.

● Providing a new way of producing high-purity metal without carbon emissions.

● A new method is proposed to promote the environmental goal of carbon neutrality.

In response to the goal of net-zero emissions proposed by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Chinese government has pledged that carbon emissions will peak by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, the high carbon energy structure of traditional industries has aggravated environmental problems, such as greenhouse effect and air pollution. The goal of carbon neutrality will be difficult to achieve without the development of disruptive theories and technologies. The electrolytic zinc industry requires high-temperature roasting at ~1000 °C, generating large amounts of greenhouse gases and SO₂. High concentrations of sulfuric acid (200 g/L) are subsequently used for electrolysis, and each ton of zinc produced generates 50 kg of anode slime with lead content of up to 16%, as well as 0.35 m³ of wastewater containing zinc and lead. To solve these problems, an optical metallurgy method is proposed in this study. The proposed method uses laser-induced photoreduction to decompose ZnS and reduce metal ions to metal. Results indicate that Zn⁰ and S₈ can be detected on the surface of ZnS at a specific wavelength and laser fluence. The generation mechanism of Zn⁰ is such that laser induces an electronic transition that breaks ionic bond in ZnS, resulting in its decomposition and photoreduction to Zn⁰ under an inert argon gas atmosphere. This method does not reduce other metals in the mineral since it does not use high-temperature roasting, providing a new way of producing high-purity metal without greenhouse gas emissions and heavy metal pollution caused by traditional zinc electrolysis.

Keywords Laser metallurgy ZnS Photochemical reduction Zinc

Corresponding Author(s): Ning Duan,Linhua Jiang

Issue Date: 30 August 2023

Cite this article:

Ying Chen,Ning Duan,Linhua Jiang, et al. Direct generation of Zn metal using laser-induced ZnS to eradicate carbon emissions from electrolysis Zn production[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(1): 7.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-024-1767-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2024/V18/I1/7

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus used for the laser-induced decomposition of ZnS.

Fig.2 Diagram of the band structure of cubic ZnS.

Fig.3 The Raman spectra obtained for (a) the products formed using different pulse repetition frequency and laser fluence, (b−d) the fresh samples and samples exposed to air for several days under different laser fluence with a pulse repetition frequency of 60 kHz.

Fig.4 XPS spectra obtained for Zn at a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz with different laser fluence: (a) Zn 2p, 0.00 J/cm²; (b) Zn 2p, 2.79 J/cm²; (c) Zn 2p, 5.57 J/cm²; (d) Zn 2p, 7.76 J/cm².

Fig.5 XPS spectra obtained for Zn at a pulse repetition frequency of 60 kHz with different laser fluence: (a) Zn 2p, 0.00 J/cm²; (b) Zn 2p, 4.11 J/cm²; (c) Zn 2p, 8.33 J/cm²; (d) Zn 2p, 15.52 J/cm².

Fig.6 Atomic ratio of Zn²⁺ and Zn⁰ at different laser fluence

Fig.7 Schematic representation of single-photon and two-photon absorption during the laser-induced decomposition of ZnS.

Fig.8 XPS spectra obtained for S at a pulse repetition frequency of 60 kHz with different laser fluence: (a) S 2p, 0.00 J/cm²; (b) S 2p, 4.11 J/cm²; (c) S 2p, 8.33 J/cm²; (d) S 2p, 15.52 J/cm².

Fig.9 Zn k³-weighted extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra of the products prepared with a laser fluence of 7.76 J/cm² (20 kHz) and 15.52 J/cm² (60 kHz), respectively. The experimental data are shown as circles, the solid lines represent the LCF results, and the spectra of the reference materials

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