Sustainable Urban Mining of Critical Elements from Magnet and Electronic Wastes

Journal Article · 12 November 2019 · ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05741 · OSTI ID:1578172

Prodius, Denis  ^[1]; Gandha, Kinjal  ^[1]; Mudring, Anja-Verena  ^[2]; Nlebedim, Ikenna C.  ^[1]

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1. Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
2. Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States); Stockholm Univ. (Sweden)

Here, we created a straightforward and environment-friendly process for acid-free leaching of rare-earth elements and cobalt, which are vital materials, from waste magnet materials. The process also allows for selective leaching of rare-earth elements from magnet-containing electronic wastes, such as end-of-life hard disk drives and electric motors. The use of copper salts eliminates the use of volatile toxic acids in the dissolution and separation processes, which provides for a more eco-friendly approach to recovering critical elements and a safer work environment. Recovered critical materials were shown to be suitable for reinsertion into the materials supply chain.

• Research Organization: Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Advanced Manufacturing Office (EE-5A)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-07CH11358
• OSTI ID: 1578172
• Report Number(s): IS-J--10077
• Journal Information: ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Journal Name: ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 8; ISSN 2168-0485
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English