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Utilizing cost-effective pyrocarbon for highly efficient gold retrieval from e-waste leachate

Author

Listed:
  • Kaixing Fu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Xia Liu

    (Qingdao University)

  • Xiaolin Zhang

    (Nanjing University)

  • Shiqing Zhou

    (Hunan University)

  • Nanwen Zhu

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

  • Yong Pei

    (Xiangtan University)

  • Jinming Luo

    (Shanghai Jiao Tong University)

Abstract

Addressing burdens of electronic waste (E-waste) leachate while achieving sustainable and selective recovery of noble metals, such as gold, is highly demanded due to its limited supply and escalating prices. Here we demonstrate an environmentally-benign and practical approach for gold recovery from E-waste leachate using alginate-derived pyrocarbon sorbent. The sorbent demonstrates potent gold recovery performance compared to most previously reported advanced sorbents, showcasing high recovery capacity of 2829.7 mg g−1, high efficiency (>99.5%), remarkable selectivity (Kd ~ 3.1 × 108 mL g−1), and robust anti-interference capabilities within environmentally relevant contexts. The aromatic structures of pyrocarbon serve as crucial electrons sources, enabling a hydroxylation process that simultaneously generates electrons and phenolic hydroxyls for the reduction of gold ions. Our investigations further uncover a “stepwise” nucleation mechanism, in which gold ions are reduced as intermediate gold-chlorine clusters, facilitating rapid reduction process by lowering energy barriers from 1.08 to −21.84 eV. Technoeconomic analysis demonstrates its economic viability with an input-output ratio as high as 1370%. Our protocol obviates the necessity for organic reagents whilst obtaining 23.96 karats gold product from real-world central processing units (CPUs) leachates. This work introduces a green sorption technique for gold recovery, emphasizing its role in promoting a circular economy and environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaixing Fu & Xia Liu & Xiaolin Zhang & Shiqing Zhou & Nanwen Zhu & Yong Pei & Jinming Luo, 2024. "Utilizing cost-effective pyrocarbon for highly efficient gold retrieval from e-waste leachate," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50595-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50595-4
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