Optimization of Zn Leaching Recovery from Tire Rubber and High-Purity ZnO Production

Waste tire rubber is regarded as a potential source for Zn recovery and recycling. In this study, the occurrence of modes of Zn was first characterized by an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), and the result indicated both ZnO and ZnS were present in the tire rubber. The Zn leaching recovery was optimized by response surface methodology, and temperature was identified as the most significant variable. The highest recovery of over 98% was obtained at 90 °C for 400 min when using 2.0 mol/L HNO₃ as the lixiviant. After that, the Zn-containing leach liquor was subjected to solvent extraction for further separation and purification using bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) and 2-ethylhexylphosphonic mono-2-ethylhexyl (PC88A) as extractants. Various parameters, such as equilibrium pH, extractant concentration, and organic-to-aqueous (O/A) ratio, were investigated to maximize the Zn extraction while minimizing the contamination of impurities. The result indicated that 0.1 mol/L Cyanex 272 exhibited a higher separation factor for Zn over major impurities compared to PC88A under the same conditions. To produce the high-purity ZnO, the Zn-loaded organic phase was subjected to stripping tests, and over 92% of Zn was stripped out with trace amounts of impurities. Finally, the pH value of the stripped solution was increased to precipitate Zn, and a final ZnO product with a purity of over 99% was obtained. This study provided a reference for waste tire rubber management and utilization.