Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kai Dean Kang, I. M. S. K. Ilankoon, Meng Nan Chong, Ta Yeong Wu
Summary: This study investigates value recovery using coarse printed circuit boards (PCBs) through organic swelling pre-treatment. The experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of organic swelling in causing cracks and delamination in the multi-layered structure of the PCBs. Copper concentrate with high copper contents can be obtained by performing organic swelling for coarse PCBs. The weakened PCBs after organic swelling can be subjected to a less energy-intensive mechanical method to yield embedded copper foils.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Guilherme Botelho Meireles de Souza, Mariana Bisinotto Pereira, Lucas Francisco dos Santos, Christian Goncalves Alonso, Veeriah Jegatheesan, Lucio Cardozo-Filho
Summary: This study explored the application of supercritical water technology in managing waste printed circuit boards, focusing on their recycling-oriented characterization and organic degradation. The study also investigated the subsequent treatment of liquid decomposition by-products, identified major gaseous products, and proposed a strategy to enhance combustible gas production.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Prashant Ram Jadhao, Snigdha Mishra, Aditya Singh, K. K. Pant, K. D. P. Nigam
Summary: The rapid increase in e-waste generation and its unsustainable management pose a threat to the environment and human well-being. This study focused on recovering valuable metals (Cu, Zn, and Ni) from waste printed circuit boards (WPCB) of computers using the biodegradable green solvent methanesulfonic acid (MSA). The optimized process conditions achieved 100% extraction of Cu and Zn, and around 90% extraction of Ni using MSA.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sisi Hu, Yanping Zhong, Jinghua Xu, Lingli Min, Xujun Liang, Rui Bai, Shuhua Wang
Summary: Cu from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) was successfully recovered as CuO particles with high specific surface area and rich oxygen vacancies. These particles showed comparable performance to commercial CuO in activating peroxymonosulfate to degrade reactive blue 19, demonstrating their potential application in wastewater treatment.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinfeng Huang, Yi Deng, Yunhui Han, Jiancheng Shu, Rong Wang, Sheng Huang, Oladele A. Ogunseitan, Keli Yu, Min Shang, Yi Liu, Shuyuan Li, Yubin Han, Zhiqiang Cheng, Mengjun Chen
Summary: Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) pose challenges for sustainable resource recovery and environmental protection due to the presence of valuable material resources and hazardous substances. This study collected and analyzed 50 electronic components (ECs) from WPCBs, finding that copper and iron were the most abundant constituents, followed by silver, gold, palladium, and platinum. The study also identified new toxic threats from arsenic and selenium leaching from some of the ECs, indicating the need for regulation to reduce the toxic footprint of electronic products.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dmitriy Khrustalev, Arman Tirzhanov, Anastassiya Khrustaleva, Marlen Mustafin, Azamat Yedrissov
Summary: The effective disposal of printed circuit board waste is a major environmental challenge due to the increasing amount of electronic waste worldwide. This study presents a new composite material for PCBs that can be easily recycled into their original components, offering a more environmentally friendly and efficient recycling solution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bo Niu, E. Shanshan, Zhenming Xu, Jie Guo
Summary: The recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) has gained global attention due to their large quantity, hazardous nature, and high recovery value. Baseboards have been extensively reviewed, but the recycling of waste electronic components (ECs) mounted on WPCBs remains a challenge. This comprehensive review analyzes and discusses the recycling of waste ECs, including dismantling, pollutant release and treatment, classification, resource recovery, and high-value utilization. It also proposes future perspectives and highlights the potential use of waste ECs as catalysts.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michelle A. Wagner, Jaco Huisman, Amund N. Lovik, Hina Habib, Paul Mahlitz, Ester van der Voet
Summary: This article discusses the importance of secondary raw materials in urban mines for modern technology, as well as the challenges in quantifying material recovery. By analyzing the element concentrations in printed circuit boards, structured information for studying product trends is provided.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quang Tri Ho, Sylvia Frantzen, Bente M. Nilsen, Ole Jakob Nostbakken, Atabak M. Azad, Arne Duinker, Lise Madsen, Michael S. Bank
Summary: This study investigated the bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine fish from the North-East Atlantic Ocean (NEAO). It was found that POPs congener composition profiles were mainly influenced by fish species rather than geographical location. The study also revealed that factors such as fat content, fish size, trophic position, and latitude had an impact on POPs concentrations in fish. Additionally, a non-linear relationship between POPs concentrations and fat content was observed, with concentrations reaching saturation when fat content exceeded 10%.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dechao Hu, Xianghong Zeng, Yinlei Lin, Yongjun Chen, Wanjuan Chen, Zhixin Jia, Jing Lin
Summary: The reutilization of non-metallic components from waste-printed circuit boards (WPCB) is a significant challenge in the comprehensive reuse of electronic wastes. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in developing sustainable polymer composites based on WPCB non-metallic components. It demonstrates that these components can enhance the physical and chemical properties of the composites, making them promising for high value-added reutilization.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
E. L. Schneider, H. M. Veit, W. L. Hartmann, C. M. Stolz, L. C. Robinson, C. T. Oliveira, A. S. Vargas
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of waste from printed circuit boards on the properties of cementitious matrix, finding that with partial replacement of lightweight aggregates, the consistency index of mortar decreased and compressive strength was also reduced. However, the matrix has potential to be used in the construction industry for blocks or non-structural elements.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Solene Touze, Valerie Laperche, Agathe Hubau, Pauline Moreau
Summary: In this study, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acid digestion were used to analyze the chemical composition of waste printed circuit boards (WPCB). The results showed that the 200 μm particle size sample had homogeneity and reliability, and pXRF measurements with loose powder showed low data dispersion. For samples with a particle size of 750 μm and 2 mm, the homogeneity needed to be compensated by increasing the number of repetitions. pXRF could provide a rapid non-intrusive approach for first-level screening of metal contents.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pushpa Gautam, Arup Kumar De, Indrajit Sinha, Chhail Kumar Behera, Kamalesh Kumar Singh
Summary: This study focuses on producing copper oxide nanoparticles from discarded printed circuit boards (PCBs) to obtain a value-added nanoproduct. The synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed to be pure monoclinic CuO of size 19.23 nm without any impurity. These nanoparticles have a high specific surface area and mesoporous structure, making them suitable for photocatalytic degradation under visible light irradiation. Utilizing e-waste from PCBs to produce nanomaterials helps reduce environmental problems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. M. Fayaz, M. A. Abdoli, M. Baghdadi, A. R. Karbassi
Summary: Electrical and electronic waste poses a significant problem for countries, containing toxic and valuable substances. The study focuses on enhancing the extraction efficiency of silver from computer printed circuit boards waste using supercritical carbon dioxide, with the use of supercritical water pretreatment. Optimal test conditions yielded 98% extraction of silver without solvents and ligands, making it the best extraction point.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huichao Chu, Can Qian, Bingyang Tian, Shiyue Qi, Jia Wang, Baoping Xin
Summary: The pyrometallurgy coupling indirect bioleaching strategy effectively extracts copper and nickel from waste printed circuit boards, with calcination pretreatment significantly improving copper release while inhibiting nickel release. Treated waste PCBs can be safely reused as non-hazardous materials, reducing environmental risks associated with them.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
