Multi-metal electrochemical response mechanism for direct copper recovery from waste printed circuit boards via sulfate- and chloride-system electrolysis

•Multifunctionalities of electrolysis facilitates metal recycling from WPCBs.•Direct copper upgrading from 86% purity to ∼99.9% at ∼0.4 V cell voltage.•Concurrent efficient base metal dissolution and precious metal enrichment.•Fate and response mechanism of metals in sulfate- and chloride-system ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Resources, conservation and recycling conservation and recycling, 2023-03, Vol.190, p.106804, Article 106804
Main Authors: Song, Qingming, Xia, Qinyi, Yuan, Xuehong, Xu, Zhenming
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cathodes
chlorides
copper
Copper recovery
E-waste
electrochemistry
Electrolysis
Electrorefining
energy
environmental impact
lead
ligands
Metal recycling
reaction kinetics
redox potential
silver
species
surface quality
tin
Waste printed circuit boards
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Summary:•Multifunctionalities of electrolysis facilitates metal recycling from WPCBs.•Direct copper upgrading from 86% purity to ∼99.9% at ∼0.4 V cell voltage.•Concurrent efficient base metal dissolution and precious metal enrichment.•Fate and response mechanism of metals in sulfate- and chloride-system electrolysis.•Practical role and environmental benefits of electrolysis for metal recycling. Metal recycling from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is crucial for resource sustainability. Electrolysis is promising in simplifying processes, improving recycling efficiency, and reducing consumption, while full knowledge on multi metal fate and response mechanism is indispensable for processing complex metals (Cu-Fe-Sn-Pb-Ni-Ag-Au) from WPCBs. Here, we studied multi metal responses in sulfate- and chloride-system electrolysis and realized direct copper recovery from WPCBs. Owing to ligand effects on metal redox potential, coordinates stability, and reaction kinetics, chloride system saves half energy by shifting Cu2+/Cu to Cu+/Cu, holds stable ionic lead and tin species, poses high silver loss, and produces cathode of higher surface quality. Both systems directly upgrade copper from 86% to ∼99.9% with detailed reaction pictures constructed. More environmental benefits are revealed through environmental impact comparison. The role of electrolysis for metal recycling from WPCBs were further discussed, being an important “hub” for efficient multi metal separation and extraction. [Display omitted]
ISSN:0921-3449
1879-0658
DOI:10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106804