Copper Extraction from Waste Printed Circuit Boards

Abstract

The quick development in the electronics industry has allowed an increase in e-waste generation; which cannot be disposed of a traditional way due mainly to the content of hazardous and polluting elements.This has given rise to a social and environmental problem in terms of handling and end disposal.Further, these wastes have become a source of heavy metals, posing challenges for recovering them and development of efficient and environmentally responsible extraction methods.An extraction process to copper extraction from printed circuit boards has been proposed.This method consists on a size reduction, concentration by magnetic and electrostatic separation, leaching of copper in sulfuric acid solution with hydrogen peroxide and oxygen and electrowinning and copper oxychloride precipitation.Concentrates with up to 63% copper and 85% maximum recovery were obtained.Copper extraction over 95% in 100 mL of 2.3 M sulfuric acid solution with 18 mL of hydrogen peroxide during 60 min of process was achieved.Metallic copper with purity over 99% and copper oxychloride as a value-added product also were obtained.This process represents a viable alternative for the recovery of copper from e-waste, contributing to management and end disposal problems, closure of the metals cycle and global sustainable development.