Closed-Loop Recycling of Copper from Waste Printed Circuit Boards Using Bioleaching and Electrowinning Processes

• DOI: 10.1007/s12649-020-01128-9
• Publication Date: 2020-06-29T20:02:46Z
• Authors: Mahsa Baniasadi; John E. Graves; Daniel A. Ray; Angélique Lindamu...; Derek Renshaw; Sebastien Farnaud
• Keywords: Electrowinning; Copper extraction techniques; Hydrometallurgy; Scrap

Abstract In the present study, a model of closed-loop recycling copper from PCBs is demonstrated, which involves sequential application bioleaching and electrowinning to selectively extract copper. This approach proposed as part solution resolve challenging ever-increasing accumulation electronic waste, e-waste, in environment. work targeting copper, most abundant metal e-waste that represents up 20% by weight printed circuit boards (PCBs). first stage, was tested for different pulp densities (0.25–1.00% w/v ) successfully used multiple metals using acidophilic bacterium, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. second method focused on recovery bioleachate electrowinning. Metallic foils were formed, results demonstrated 75.8% available had been recovered high quality foil, with 99 + % purity, determined energy dispersive X-ray analysis Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. extraction, combining electrowinning, demonstrates illustrates circular economy. The have potential be reused, form new, value clad laminate production complex electronics manufacturing industry. Graphic