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Quantification of Metal Leaching in Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography
Published on: January 17, 2020
Sustainable Metal Mixture Separation From E-Waste Leaching: Flow-Based System Approach With Closed-Loop Reutilization
Vitor A S Almodovar1, Kevin Moreno1, Prashant Ram Jadhao1
1Department of Chemical Engineering Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, EEBE, Barcelona, Spain.
Chemsuschem
|July 8, 2026
Summary
This study presents a sustainable liquid-liquid extraction system for recycling copper from electronic waste (e-waste). The process achieves 97% copper extraction efficiency using a phenolic oxime and a closed-loop system for ligand regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Electronic waste (e-waste) generation is rapidly increasing globally.
- Sustainable metal recycling is crucial for environmental protection and resource management.
- Efficient recovery of valuable metals like copper from e-waste is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient and sustainable flow-based liquid-liquid extraction system for selective copper recovery from e-waste leachates.
- To optimize the extraction process by evaluating key parameters such as flow rate, residence time, and metal-to-ligand ratio.
- To integrate a ligand/solvent regeneration step for a closed-loop process, enhancing sustainability and reducing solvent consumption.
Main Methods:
- Utilized batch leaching with methanesulfonic acid (MSA) to obtain copper-silver leachates from e-waste.
- Employed a flow-based liquid-liquid extraction system with a phenolic oxime ligand for selective copper(II) ion extraction.
- Investigated the impact of varying flow rates, residence times, and metal-to-ligand ratios on extraction efficiency.
- Implemented a ligand/solvent regeneration step for copper back-extraction and extractant recycling.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum copper extraction efficiency of 97% under optimal conditions.
- Identified optimal operating conditions at a metal-to-ligand ratio of 1:3 and a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min.
- Demonstrated the successful regeneration and recycling of the ligand/solvent, enabling a closed-loop process.
- Confirmed the high affinity of the phenolic oxime for Cu(II) ions, ensuring selective copper separation.
Conclusions:
- The developed flow-based liquid-liquid extraction system offers an efficient and sustainable method for copper recovery from e-waste.
- The integration of a closed-loop process significantly enhances environmental sustainability by reducing solvent consumption and enabling reagent recycling.
- This approach contributes to greener e-waste management by promoting selective metal recovery and resource circularity.
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