A novel method of preparing ultrafine ZnS particles from waste zinc–manganese batteries by evaporation–separation, sulfurization and inert gas condensation

Abstract This paper explores a novel method to produce ultrafine ZnS particles, a high value-added product, from waste zinc–manganese battery through evaporation–separation, sulfurization and inert gas condensation process. The heating temperature, condensation temperature, nitrogen gas pressure and condensation distance were identified as the main factors influencing the morphology of ZnS nanoparticles produced. Ultrafine ZnS particles can be prepared when the heating temperature is 873 K, the condensation temperature is 723 K and the nitrogen gas pressure is 1000–1500 Pa at the condensation distance of 30 cm. Size of ZnS particles was between 10 and 100 nm with average size of about 40 nm. Based on the scientific graphing and statistical analysis, the size of ZnS particles follows the log-normal distribution. This study not only provides the theoretical fundamentals for preparing ultrafine ZnS particles, but also provides a simple and efficient method to recycle the high value-added ZnS products from waste zinc–manganese batteries.