Technology critical metal recycling using ultrasonics and catalytic etchants
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Technology critical metals (TCMs) are an essential distinct subset of specialist, often 'critical' metals, and each has its own specific properties. They are fundamental enablers of most major applications throughout industry and especially in clean energy and digital technologies, and they are essential for the world to decarbonise. The demand for TCMs is growing, and a wider range of materials and a circular economy approach are needed for the emerging technologies that will enable the energy transition and net zero aims. The UK is currently 100% import-reliant on TCMs and so it is essential to recycle these metals and develop a circular economy. Unfortunately these metals are diffusely distributed and maintaining value is difficult with current non-selective hydrometallurgical techniques. The vision of this research proposal centres on the use of targeted, catalytic etchants which can control the redox state of TCMs from complex architectures. This project will target layered structures such as photovoltaic and thermoelectric devices although it could equally be applied to a variety of other structures such as printed circuit boards and composites, particularly those of significant value to industries such as aerospace or wind renewables. The novelty of this project lies in combining catalytic etchants with ultrasonic techniques to bring about almost instantaneous separation and enable selective, fast-throughput processes to be developed. This project aims to develop a range of sustainable, inexpensive catalysts which can preferably be regenerated using air emulating what is done in a biological and geological environment. Practical recycling solutions need to be rapid and efficient and the secret to doing this for metals is to increase mass transport and change speciation. This project addresses the former using focussed ultrasound and the latter using novel ambient temperature ionic fluids.
Publications
Elgar C
(2023)
Using ultrasound to increase copper and nickel dissolution and prevent passivation using concentrated ionic fluid.
in Electrochimica Acta
Marin Rivera R
(2024)
Ultra-fast extraction of metals from a printed circuit board using high power ultrasound in a calcium chloride-based deep eutectic solvent
in RSC Sustainability
Zante G
(2023)
Targeted recovery of metals from thermoelectric generators (TEGs) using chloride brines and ultrasound
in RSC Sustainability
Zante G
(2023)
Concentrated Ionic Fluids: Is There a Difference Between Chloride-Based Brines and Deep Eutectic Solvents?
in Angewandte Chemie
Zante G
(2023)
Concentrated Ionic Fluids: Is There a Difference Between Chloride-Based Brines and Deep Eutectic Solvents?
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Alsulami B
(2024)
Application of large datasets to assess trends in the stability of perovskite photovoltaics through machine learning
in Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Zante G
(2024)
A toolbox for improved recycling of critical metals and materials in low-carbon technologies
in RSC Sustainability
Description | Recycling Of Li-ion Batteries 3 |
Amount | £4,980,705 (GBP) |
Funding ID | FIRG057 |
Organisation | The Faraday Institution |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2023 |
End | 03/2025 |
Description | Conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference poster presentation entitled 'Developing the circular economy for photovoltaics', at the 11th ETP Annual Conference, Edinburgh, UK, November 2022. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.etp-scotland.ac.uk/Events-News/Events/Post/id/1157/etp-11th-annual-conference-2022-a-net... |
Description | Conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference presentation entitled 'Characterising cavitation activity generated by an ultrasonic horn in a deep eutectic solvent for efficient precious metal recovery from e-waste' at the 17th Meeting of the European Society of Sonochemistry, Germany, August 2022. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.ess2022.de/ |