Electronic waste contains high amounts of gold and is therefore an important secondary source of this raw material. While conventional metal recovery processes are associated with environmental and health risks along with high energy demand, bio-based methods represent a sustainable alternative of growing importance. In our previous work, we discovered that the moss Physcomitrella patens not only selectively binds Rare Earth Elements (REEs) but can also bind gold with even higher efficiency. This prompted us to conduct a comparative study on the biosorption of gold by P. patens and two further moss species (Physcomitrium eurystomum and Physcomitrium sphaericum). Sorption capacities from model gold solutions reached 1.2 ± 0.4 mmol g-1, 1.1 ± 0.6 mmol g-1 and 0.8 ± 0.1 mmol g-1, respectively, and were up to 3.7-folds higher than these obtained for selected REEs. As expected, the efficiency of gold removal was affected by the pH of the metal solution. Furthermore, reduction of gold ions seems to play an important role in the gold recovery by mosses. Thus, although further studies on the mechanisms of gold recovery by moss species are needed, the work presented here provides important insights into the use of moss for the re-valorisation of e-waste as a secondary source of gold.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.