Properties and application of ionic liquids in leaching base/precious metals from e-waste. A review

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing type of waste worldwide and contains significant levels of precious metals, rare earth elements, and basic elements that make it economically attractive. This type of waste presents a challenge in the metallurgical processing industry due to its heterogeneity, toxicity, and the environmental impact caused by its incorrect disposal by companies and individuals. Their treatment with traditional solvents that are environmentally unfriendly affects the recovery of metals. In addition the practical application, recovery and recycling of the ionic liquids (ILs) are topics that align with the circular economy context, which is imperative to address today. This study presents a comprehensive review of the use of ILs to recover metals from electronic waste, with an emphasis on the leaching stage. The advantages of using ILs in hydrometallurgy are their design properties and low toxicity, which would benefit the environment and human health. A simple economic evaluation is made to expand the use of ionic liquids in metal leaching. The physicochemical properties and their influence on the process according to the nature of the cation and anion are reported.

Automated summary

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing type of waste worldwide and poses challenges in the metallurgical processing industry. This study reviews the use of ionic liquids (ILs) for metal recovery from electronic waste, with a focus on the leaching stage. The advantages of using ILs include their design properties and low toxicity, benefiting the environment and human health.