Leaching Foams for Copper and Silver Dissolution: A Proof of Concept of a More Environmentally Friendly Process for the Recovery of Critical Metals

The recovery of metals from the waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a major challenge to preserve natural resources. Hydrometallurgy, where metals are leached, is a promising method but generates large amounts of polluting effluents. In this study we design aqueous leaching foams, composed of 90% v/v of gas and 10% v/v of HCl solution to oxidize and dissolve copper. We take advantage of the oxidizing power of the dioxygen (O-2) present in the air bubbles whose fast transfer through the foams enables an efficient oxidation of copper. We then extend the concept of leaching foams to another gas, ozone, to oxidize silver (Ag). We finally show that using an anionic surfactant to complex cupric ions helps to improve the dissolution of the metal. These promising results open new recycling routes for metals contained in WEEE, with a lower environmental footprint.

Automated summary

The study focuses on using aqueous leaching foams for efficient oxidation and dissolution of metals in electronic waste, extending the concept to ozone for oxidizing other metals, and improving metal dissolution by using anionic surfactants. These promising results offer new recycling routes for metals in electronic waste, with a lower environmental footprint.