elaboration of a guide for components’ recovery of used batteries: A project with environmental consciousness and possibility of exploration of scientific concepts in the state of Tocantins

Abstract

Batteries are electrochemical devices widely used in the modern world. However, its disposal cannot be done in ordinary waste due to the characteristics of corrosiveness, toxicity and reactivity. Although there are laws that establish an adequate destination, this is not always available in all cities in the country. In this sense, this article aims to present a project of recycling commercial batteries with the university-school interaction in the critical aspect of Environmental Education, culminating in the elaboration of a procedural recycling guide. In this project, the batteries were obtained in public schools in Gurupi - Tocantins, after holding lectures to promote environmental awareness on the subject. Then they were opened and the components of zinc and electrolytic pulp were separated and treated by leaching and precipitation methods to the formation of zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide, zinc chloride and manganese oxide which offer less risk to the environment. By means of thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction it was possible to characterize the synthesized products, identifying the composition and the purity of the compounds, evidencing the components recovery of the collected cells. Such results converge with the principles of Critical Environmental Education, in which the participation of society is important to develop an environmental awareness about a local environmental problem that is forgotten in the municipality.