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Bioleaching of Printed Circuit Board Waste to Obtain Metallic Nanoparticles

Author

Listed:
  • Éllen F. Rodrigues

    (Biotechnology Unit, University of Ribeirão Preto—UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto 14096-900, SP, Brazil
    Department of Chemical and Food Engineering—QA, Federal University of Santa Catarina—UFSC, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil
    Postgraduate Program in Environmental Technology, University of Ribeirão Preto—UNAERP, Ribeirão Preto 14096-900, SP, Brazil)

  • Beatriz Cesa Rovaris

    (Department of Chemical and Food Engineering—QA, Federal University of Santa Catarina—UFSC, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Alexsandra Valerio

    (Department of Chemical and Food Engineering—QA, Federal University of Santa Catarina—UFSC, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Débora de Oliveira

    (Department of Chemical and Food Engineering—QA, Federal University of Santa Catarina—UFSC, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

  • Dachamir Hotza

    (Department of Chemical and Food Engineering—QA, Federal University of Santa Catarina—UFSC, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil)

Abstract

In this work, a biological recovery of metals (copper and gold) from computer printed circuit board (PCB) waste was carried out by bioleaching using Aspergillus niger . Three bioleaching methods comprising one or two steps or using spent medium were tested in an incubator shaker at 30 °C and 160 rpm with different PCB waste concentrations (2.5 to 10 g/L). Glucose was used as the carbon source. The best condition evaluated was carried out in a stirred tank reactor. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of oxalic, citric, and gluconic acids. A. niger showed an efficiency of bioleaching of up to 100% and 42.5% for copper and gold, respectively, using the two-step method with 2.5 g/L PCB waste after 14 days of the process. The efficiency of bioleaching in a stirred tank reactor was 83% for copper and 24% for gold. The mean metallic particle size obtained after bioleaching varied according to the PCB waste concentration (2.5–10 g/L) added in the experiments. A transmission electron microscope analysis confirmed the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles with spherical morphology. The results indicated that the PCBs bioleaching process with A. niger can be an environmentally friendly alternative to current mechanical and metallurgical processes for metal leaching.

Suggested Citation

  • Éllen F. Rodrigues & Beatriz Cesa Rovaris & Alexsandra Valerio & Débora de Oliveira & Dachamir Hotza, 2024. "Bioleaching of Printed Circuit Board Waste to Obtain Metallic Nanoparticles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9837-:d:1518700
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Asma Sikander & Steven Kelly & Kerstin Kuchta & Anika Sievers & Thomas Willner & Andrew S. Hursthouse, 2022. "Chemical and Microbial Leaching of Valuable Metals from PCBs and Tantalum Capacitors of Spent Mobile Phones," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
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