IP Library Granted Patent US 8,308,933
Granted Patent B2
US 8,308,933 · App. 12/863,656 · Granted Nov 13, 2012

Method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,308,933
App. No.
12/863,656
Granted
Nov 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided are a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxides of indium and zinc by using an insoluble electrode as an anode or a cathode and an IZO scrap as the other cathode or anode as the opposite electrode, and performing electrolysis while periodically reversing polarity; and a method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are roasted and valuable metals are recovered as oxides of indium and zinc. Specifically, provided is a method which enables the efficient recovery of indium and zinc from IZO scrap such as a spent indium-zinc oxide (IZO) sputtering target and IZO mill ends arising during the manufacture of such a sputtering target.

Claims (3)

1. A method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap, wherein valuable metals are recovered as hydroxides of indium and zinc by using an insoluble electrode as an anode or a cathode and an IZO scrap as the other cathode or anode as the opposite electrode, and performing electrolysis while periodically reversing polarity.

2. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are roasted and valuable metals are recovered as oxides of indium and zinc.

3. The method of recovering valuable metals from IZO scrap according to claim 1 , wherein the hydroxides of indium and zinc obtained by the electrolysis are subject to acid leaching to obtain a solution of indium and zinc, the solution is pH-adjusted to eliminate zinc as zinc hydroxide, and indium is further recovered by electrowinning.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Aug 11, 2021
From: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057160/0114 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041649/0733 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 12, 2010
From: NIPPON MINING HOLDINGS, INC.
To: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025123/0420 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 8, 2010
From: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
To: NIPPON MINING HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025115/0675 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2010
From: SHINDO, YUICHIRO; TAKEMOTO, KOUICHI
To: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024763/0353 →