A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste

Binjun Liang; Jihan Gu; Xiangrong Zeng; Weiquan Yuan; Mingjun Rao; Bin Xiao; Haixiang Hu

doi:10.3390/molecules29194624

Molecules (Sep 2024)

A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste

Binjun Liang,
Jihan Gu,
Xiangrong Zeng,
Weiquan Yuan,
Mingjun Rao,
Bin Xiao,
Haixiang Hu

Affiliations

Binjun Liang: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Jihan Gu: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Xiangrong Zeng: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Weiquan Yuan: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Mingjun Rao: School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Bin Xiao: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Haixiang Hu: Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 29, no. 19
p. 4624

Abstract

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Electronic waste (e-waste) contains valuable rare earth elements (REEs) essential for various high-tech applications, making their recovery crucial for sustainable resource management. This review provides an overview of the occurrence of REEs in e-waste and discusses both conventional and emerging green technologies for their recovery. Conventional methods include physical separation, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy, while innovative approaches such as bioleaching, supercritical fluid extraction, ionic liquid extraction, and lanmodulin-derived peptides offer improved environmental sustainability and efficiency. The article presents case studies on the extraction of REEs from waste permanent magnets and fluorescent powders, highlighting the specific processes involved. Future research should focus on developing eco-friendly leaching agents, separation materials, and process optimization to enhance the overall sustainability and efficiency of REE recovery from e-waste, addressing both resource recovery and environmental concerns effectively.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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