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Physicochemical reactions in e-waste recycling 

Nature Reviews Chemistry (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is becoming a global concern owing to its immense quantity, hazardous character and the potential loss of valuable metals. The many processes involved in e-waste recycling stem from a mixture of physicochemical reactions, and understanding the principles of these reactions can lead to more efficient recycling methods. In this Review, we discuss the principles behind photochemistry, thermochemistry, mechanochemistry, electrochemistry and sonochemistry for metal recovery, polymer decomposition and pollutant elimination from e-waste. We also discuss how these processes induce or improve reaction rates, selectivity and controllability of e-waste recycling based on thermodynamics and kinetics, free radicals, chemical bond energy, electrical potential regulation and more. Lastly, key factors, limitations and suggestions for improvements of these physicochemical reactions for e-waste recycling are highlighted, wherein we also indicate possible research directions for the future.

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Fig. 1: The compositions of e-waste and benefits of e-waste recycling.
Fig. 2: Photocatalytic recycling of e-waste.
Fig. 3: Typical thermochemical reactions for e-waste recycling.
Fig. 4: Thermochemical debromination mechanisms of polymers in e-waste.
Fig. 5: Mechanochemistry in e-waste recycling.
Fig. 6: Electrochemical recovery of metals from e-waste.
Fig. 7: Ultrasound-enhanced mechanisms for metal recovery and removal of organic species.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22208082) and Hebei Agricultural University (YJ2021053).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Farmland Ecological Environment of Hebei Province, College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China

    Bo Niu

  2. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China

    Shanshan E

  3. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Qingming Song, Zhenming Xu & Yufei Qin

  4. School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    Bing Han

  5. School of Engineering, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia

    Bing Han

  6. Jiangxi Green Recycling Co., Ltd, Fengcheng, China

    Yufei Qin

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Niu, B., E, S., Song, Q. et al. Physicochemical reactions in e-waste recycling . Nat Rev Chem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-024-00616-z

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