Copper recovery through biohydrometallurgy route: chemical and physical characterization of magnetic (m), non-magnetic (nm) and mix samples from obsolete smartphones

Author(s)

Andrade, Lidiane Maria ; Botelho Junior, Amilton Barbosa ; Alvarez Rosario, Carlos Gonzalo ; Hashimoto, Hugo ; Andrade, Cristiano Jose ; Soares Tenorio, Jorge Alberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2022-09-12.

Abstract

The more modern electronics are, the smaller and complex printed circuit boards are. Thus, these materials are continually changed (physicochemically), increasing the copper concentrations in smartphones. In this sense, it is challenging to set standardized recycling processes to improve metal recovery. In addition, biohydrometallurgy is a clean and cheap process to obtain critical metals from low-grade sources and waste electronic equipment. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize, physicochemically, 21 PCBs from smartphones manufactured from 2010 to 2015, and then to recover the copper by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (biohydrometallurgy). The PCBs were comminuted and separated into Magnetic (M), Nonmagnetic (NM) and without magnetic separation (MIX) samples. It was identified 217.8; 560.3 and 401.3 mg Cu/g of PCBs for M, NM and MIX samples, respectively. Regarding biohydrometallurgy, the culture media iron-supplemented (NM + Fe and MIX + Fe) increased the copper content by 2.6 and 7.2%, respectively, and the magnetic separation step was insignificant. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/05527-5 - Separation of metals from sulfuric liquor of mining waste using chelating resins
• Grantee: Amilton Barbosa Botelho Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/51871-9 - Study Center for Technology in Waste Solid Treatment and Recycling - SCTWSTR
• Grantee: Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants