An efficient Two-Chamber Electrodeposition-Electrodialysis combination craft for nickel recovery and phosphorus removal from spent electroless nickel plating bath

• A redesigned and novel two-chamber electrodeposition-electrodialysis combination craft was adopted. • The efficient recovery of Ni 2+ and the synchronous removal of HPO 3 2- from spent bath was achieved in simple and rapid one-step purification. • The influence of current density, operation time, pH, dilution multiple, flow rate, and electrolyte concentration on craft performance were investigated. With the continuous promotion and application of electroless nickel plating technology, the environmental pollution caused by heavy metals nickel and phosphorus in the spent bath becomes more serious. It is challenging to develop a method for the treatment of a spent electroless nickel plating bath with the high-efficiency recovery of Ni 2+ and synchronous removal of HPO 3 2- , no secondary pollution, and low energy consumption. Herein, a means that absolutely incorporates the ascendancy of two single treatment methods, called a combination of electrodialysis and electrodeposition, was used to treat the spent electroless nickel plating bath. The effects of current density, operation time, pH value of the spent bath, dilution multiple, flow rate, and electrolyte (Na 2 SO 4 ) concentration on the recovery, removal rate, and energy consumption were investigated. Then, the reusability of the ion-exchange membrane was studied. The experimental results indicated that the recovery of Ni 2+ was 82.34%, the removal of HPO 3 2- was 51.61%, the energy consumption of this method was only 18.28 Wh/kg, and the stability of the anion exchange membrane was desirable. Overall, the study of this combined process provides a basis for the one-step treatment of spent electroless nickel plating bath by a comprehensive method and an idea for engineering the application of handling spent bath.