Urban Mining and Electrochemistry: Cyclic Voltammetry Study of Acidic Solutions from Electronic Wastes (Printed Circuit Boards) for Recovery of Cu, Zn, and Ni

Abstract

Abstract:We report potentiodynamic studies to characterize copper, nickel and zinc leaching solutions from electronic waste. The metals were leached using oxygen and sulfuric acid (pH = 1.5). As is known, reduction potentials are determined using thermodynamics laws, and metal recovery strategies from electronic waste are usually considered according these thermodynamic values. Pourbaix-type diagrams are not appropriate to plan strategies in electrochemical processing. Therefore, knowledge of electrode potentials for the metal deposit/dissolution process is the basis for the selective recovery planning. For this reason, potentiodynamic studies, specifically cyclic voltammetry, are revealed as a good way to decide the best conditions for the process of electrochemical recovery of metals from electronic waste, which is also cost-efficient and has no interference from strange ions, such as lead, in this case.

Use of the O2-Thiosemicarbazide System, for the Leaching of: Gold and Copper from WEEE & Silver Contained in Mining Wastes

“…According to the results found in this work, both WEEE and MW have interesting Au, Cu, and Ag values to be processed by dynamic leaching using the O 2 -thiosemicarbazide system. These values are consistent with those reported in different works [ 1 , 5 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 21 ].…”

“…The above, join with the increase of severe environmental protection legislation worldwide, has motivated to seek for recycling of wastes to get that wanted metals. In this way, the recovery of precious metals from wastes is an ideal opportunity to get raw materials having additional value, because the involved processes can recover metals without losing their quality, saving energy in comparison with the primary process of recovery, also reducing emissions, decreasing mining activities and the most important, reducing wastes that could be harmful to humankind and environment [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

Valuable Metal Recycling

“…Ilyas et al [4] summarized methods of bio-recovery from secondary resources for strategic and energy critical metals, such as rare earth elements, precious metals, and a common nuclear fuel element; they also suggested that sustainable recycling could be achieved by means of bio-metallurgy. Reyes-Valderrama et al [5] performed a voltammetry study for the recovery of Cu, Zn, and Ni from an e-waste leach solution to understand the behaviors of leaching and electrodeposition; they also reported selective electro-deposition with different pHs. Increasing attention has been paid to the leaching of refractory materials.…”

Recovery of gold and base metals from waste printed circuits boards

“…Undoubtedly, leaching and electro-wining/electro-refining process have always been attached and both became part of the first basis to establish hydrometallurgy as a formal study (Dutta et al, 2018), (Reyes-Valderrama et al, 2017), (Yang et al, 2018), (Liu et al, (2017), (Kasper et al, 2016), (Memon et al, 2017), (Zhang et al, 2018), (Mooiman et al, 2005). In order to reinforce this relationship more, if it is possible the aim of this paper which is to obtain precious metals using an environmental friendly treatment of electronic waste.…”