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Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks
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Light-Promoted Efficient Gold Recovery Enabled by a Polydopamine-Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework.
Yanyin Wu1, Yuyu Guo1, Tianwei Xue1
1Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|February 9, 2026
Summary
A novel composite material efficiently recovers gold from electronic waste using a light-assisted strategy. This advancement supports resource recycling and a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable resources.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Growing electronic waste (e-waste) from artificial intelligence (AI) and information technologies necessitates efficient precious metal recovery.
- Recycling gold from secondary resources offers significant environmental and economic advantages.
- Developing advanced materials for selective and high-capacity gold extraction is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and evaluate a novel composite material for efficient gold recovery from e-waste.
- To investigate the synergistic effects of material composition and light-assisted strategy on gold adsorption.
- To explore the dual functionality of the recovered material for sustainable hydrogen production.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polydopamine (PDA)-functionalized β-ketoenamine-linked covalent organic framework composite (TATP/PDA).
- Utilizing a light-assisted strategy for enhanced gold recovery.
- Characterization of material properties and adsorption performance, including capacity, kinetics, selectivity, and application in real e-waste leachate.
- Assessment of the recovered gold-loaded composite as a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution.
Main Results:
- TATP/PDA demonstrated exceptional gold adsorption capacity (5220 mg·g-1) and ultrafast kinetics (>99% removal within 30 s).
- The composite exhibited remarkable selectivity for gold in complex matrices.
- Synergistic effects between PDA and TATP COF enhanced photoelectric activity and adsorption.
- The material showed excellent performance in recovering gold from actual e-waste leachate.
- The recovered gold-loaded composite effectively served as a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution.
Conclusions:
- The developed TATP/PDA composite is a highly efficient and selective material for gold recovery from e-waste.
- The light-assisted strategy significantly enhances gold adsorption performance.
- This dual-benefit approach contributes to resource recycling and promotes a green, circular economy.
Keywords:
covalent organic frameworkselectronic waste treatmentgold recoverygreen chemistrypolydopamineMore Related Videos
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