Recent developments in materials containing N and S groups for gold recovering

• Published in: Journal of environmental chemical engineering 2024-06, Vol.12 (3), p.112585, Article 112585
• Main Authors: Quispe-Garrido, Lady V., Ruiz-Montoya, José G., Baena-Moncada, Angélica M., La Rosa-Toro, Adolfo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Gold recovery; Ligands; MOF; Polymers
• ISSN: 2213-3437
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2024.112585

The growing demand for gold, particularly due to its use in electronics, underscores the need for efficient recovery methods from secondary sources. This is not only economically beneficial but also crucial for environmental protection. Traditional gold recovery methods, relying on toxic substances like mercury and cyanide, pose significant environmental and health hazards. This review concentrates on the challenges of gold ion adsorption and the development of innovative adsorbents enriched with nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) functional groups. Various materials such as ligands, polymers, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recently developed to improve the efficiency and selectivity of gold ion recovery. The review explains how N and S functional groups interact with Au ions, delving into the chemical bonding, coordination, ionic, and redox reactions that facilitate high adsorption capacities. It also assesses the synthesis processes and elucidates the mechanisms behind Au ions adsorption, showcasing the strengths and weaknesses of current technologies. Despite advancements, challenges remain, particularly in the long-term stability, scalability, and environmental impact of these novel materials in practical applications. The review calls for comprehensive lifecycle analysis studies, scalable synthesis methods, and a deeper understanding of molecular adsorption mechanisms. It highlights the potential of hybrid materials combining different functional groups for improved performance. This review not only summarizes current progress but also guides future research towards more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly gold recovery methods. [Display omitted] •Materials contains N and S groups exhibit improved gold selective recovery.•Polymers, ligands, and MOF offer promising solutions for sustainable gold recovery.•Efficient materials in recovering gold from leachate.