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Recycling of printed circuit boards: ultrasound-assisted comminution and leaching for metals recovery

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Abstract

The increase of electronic equipment consumption associated makes the recycling process crucial worldwide. Use of emerging technologies for recycling has demonstrated enhance process efficiency. Ultrasound-assisted in the comminution and leaching has been explored and results demonstrate the feasibility for e-waste applications. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the ultrasound on recycling of PCBs. Ultrasound-assisted comminution was applied to understand its effect on the leaching in different particle sizes. Results have shown that the particle size distribution of PCBs reduced by 25% in 4 h by ultrasound (700 W). The effect of acid concentration, solid–liquid ratio, ultrasound power, and oxidizing agent were explored in leaching experiments. Extraction of aluminum increased twice under the effect of ultrasound. The leaching efficiency for iron achieved a half compared with silent experiments due to the iron oxide formation resulting in less contaminant to the leach solution. It may cause lower nickel recovery. Leaching of copper was benefited by ultrasound under oxidant media.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to the University of Sao Paulo for supporting this project. To Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and Capes (FAPESP-grant 2011/51544-5, 2012/51871-5, and 2019/11866-5, Sao Paulo Research Foundation) for the financial support. This project was developed with the support of SemeAd (FEAUSP), FIA Fundação Instituto de Administração and Cactvs Instituto de Pagamento S.A. through the granting of assistance to a research project Bolsa SemeAd PQ Jr (Public Notice 2021.01).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, Rua do Lago, 250-2º Floor, São Paulo, SP, 05508-080, Brazil

    D. M. dos Santos, A. B. Botelho Junior & D. C. R. Espinosa

  2. Rede Temática em Engenharia de Materiais-REDEMAT, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Praça Tiradentes, 20, Ouro Preto, MG, 35400-000, Brazil

    D. C. Buzzi

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  1. D. M. dos Santos
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dos Santos, D.M., Buzzi, D.C., Botelho Junior, A.B. et al. Recycling of printed circuit boards: ultrasound-assisted comminution and leaching for metals recovery. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 24, 1991–2001 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-022-01453-2

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