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High-efficiency gold recovery by additive-induced supramolecular polymerization of β-cyclodextrin

Author

Listed:
  • Huang Wu

    (Northwestern University)

  • Yu Wang

    (Northwestern University)

  • Chun Tang

    (Northwestern University)

  • Leighton O. Jones

    (Northwestern University)

  • Bo Song

    (Northwestern University)

  • Xiao-Yang Chen

    (Northwestern University)

  • Long Zhang

    (Northwestern University)

  • Yong Wu

    (Northwestern University)

  • Charlotte L. Stern

    (Northwestern University)

  • George C. Schatz

    (Northwestern University)

  • Wenqi Liu

    (University of South Florida)

  • J. Fraser Stoddart

    (Northwestern University
    University of New South Wales
    Zhejiang University
    ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center)

Abstract

Developing an eco-friendly, efficient, and highly selective gold-recovery technology is urgently needed in order to maintain sustainable environments and improve the utilization of resources. Here we report an additive-induced gold recovery paradigm based on precisely controlling the reciprocal transformation and instantaneous assembly of the second-sphere coordinated adducts formed between β-cyclodextrin and tetrabromoaurate anions. The additives initiate a rapid assembly process by co-occupying the binding cavity of β-cyclodextrin along with the tetrabromoaurate anions, leading to the formation of supramolecular polymers that precipitate from aqueous solutions as cocrystals. The efficiency of gold recovery reaches 99.8% when dibutyl carbitol is deployed as the additive. This cocrystallization is highly selective for square-planar tetrabromoaurate anions. In a laboratory-scale gold-recovery protocol, over 94% of gold in electronic waste was recovered at gold concentrations as low as 9.3 ppm. This simple protocol constitutes a promising paradigm for the sustainable recovery of gold, featuring reduced energy consumption, low cost inputs, and the avoidance of environmental pollution.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang Wu & Yu Wang & Chun Tang & Leighton O. Jones & Bo Song & Xiao-Yang Chen & Long Zhang & Yong Wu & Charlotte L. Stern & George C. Schatz & Wenqi Liu & J. Fraser Stoddart, 2023. "High-efficiency gold recovery by additive-induced supramolecular polymerization of β-cyclodextrin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36591-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36591-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luke M. M. Kinsman & Bryne T. Ngwenya & Carole A. Morrison & Jason B. Love, 2021. "Tuneable separation of gold by selective precipitation using a simple and recyclable diamide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Zhichang Liu & Marco Frasconi & Juying Lei & Zachary J. Brown & Zhixue Zhu & Dennis Cao & Julien Iehl & Guoliang Liu & Albert C. Fahrenbach & Youssry Y. Botros & Omar K. Farha & Joseph T. Hupp & Chad , 2013. "Selective isolation of gold facilitated by second-sphere coordination with α-cyclodextrin," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Joseph G. O’Connell-Danes & Bryne T. Ngwenya & Carole A. Morrison & Jason B. Love, 2022. "Selective separation of light rare-earth elements by supramolecular encapsulation and precipitation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    4. Yao Chen & Mengjiao Xu & Jieya Wen & Yu Wan & Qingfei Zhao & Xia Cao & Yong Ding & Zhong Lin Wang & Hexing Li & Zhenfeng Bian, 2021. "Selective recovery of precious metals through photocatalysis," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(7), pages 618-626, July.
    5. Fei Li & Jiuyi Zhu & Pengzhan Sun & Mingrui Zhang & Zhenqing Li & Dingxin Xu & Xinyu Gong & Xiaolong Zou & A. K. Geim & Yang Su & Hui-Ming Cheng, 2022. "Highly efficient and selective extraction of gold by reduced graphene oxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne Ponchel & Eric Monflier, 2023. "Application of cyclodextrins as second-sphere coordination ligands for gold recovery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-3, December.

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