A novel method of utilizing waste Printed Circuit Board for the preparation of Fibre Reinforced Polymer

This study highlights the reuse of the by-products of waste PCB (WPCB) after the metal extraction by pyrometallurgy and bioleaching. In this study the carbonaceous slag obtained was used as a reinforcement to increase the strength of a synthesized nano fibre membrane which could be used for the treatment of wastewater. The synthesized membrane has nano fibres with an average size of 90-110 nm which was produced using an electrospinning machine. The Raman spectroscopy results proved that the carbonaceous slag is rich in carbon and few amounts of graphite was also present in it. The FESEM results proved that the nano fibres were spun perfect which would increase the strength of membrane, thereby increasing the workability towards wastewater treatment. The FTIR results also proved that there is change in the molecular groups of the carbon incorporated fibres. The 3D image of the membrane captured by the Atomic Force Microscope proved that the sample has nano fibre woven on the surface along with the carbon which increases the stability and also as a mere amount of metal is present on the carbon the chance of fouling by the microbes would be limited. Thus, the recycled Fibre Reinforced Polymer (rFRP) is an efficient membrane for the treatment of domestic or industrial wastewater. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.