UNLOCKING COPPER FROM ELECTRONIC WASTE: OPTIMIZED LEACHING STRATEGIES AND RAPID ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY EVALUATION
- Efe Olomu - Group of Alternative Analytical Approaches (GAAA), Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil - University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- Dennis Silva Ferreira - Group of Applied Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- Rodrigues Pereira-Filho Edenir - Group of Applied Instrumental Analysis, Chemistry Department, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- Fabiola Pereira - Group of Alternative Analytical Approaches (GAAA), Bioenergy Research Institute (IPBEN), Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil
- Available online in Detritus - Volume 32 - September 2025
- Pages 56-66
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Copyright: © 2025 CISA Publisher
Abstract
This study presents a novel method for evaluating copper (Cu) extraction efficiency by combining chemometric approaches with non-invasive analytical techniques, including energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Aligned with Process Intensification (PI) principles, our methodology utilizes the Design of Experiments (DoE) approach to streamline decision-making in metal recovery processes. While the in-situ generation of Cu ions in the liquid medium yielded suboptimal results, this approach warrants further investigation to optimize its potential. On the other hand, our findings demonstrate that LIBS and XRF are highly effective in differentiating leachates based on Cu signals, offering advantages such as higher analytical frequency and lower operational costs compared to traditional methods like Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP OES). These noninvasive techniques enhance process understanding and enable more efficient and informed decision-making. By integrating PI with DoE, this study advances Cu recycling strategies from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective recovery processes. This approach holds significant promise for addressing the growing challenges of e-waste management and resource recovery.Keywords
Editorial History
- Received: 06 May 2025
- Revised: 14 Aug 2025
- Accepted: 10 Sep 2025
- Available online: 30 Sep 2025
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