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Characterization of different types of electronic waste: heavy metal, precious metal and rare earth element content by comparing different digestıon methods

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Abstract

Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams. The content of this waste has critical importance for the development or adoption of new recycling techniques and safe waste management practices. In this study, printed circuit boards and screens of three different types of electronic wastes, such as old mobile phones, smartphones, and laptops were characterized for their heavy metal, precious metal, and rare earth element contents. Three different digestion methods were applied to the samples prior to ICP-OES analysis. Results showed that Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Al were found to be the main heavy metals in all samples. Nd, Ag, and Au were found as the major precious metals, followed by Pt, La, Dy, Pr, and Ce in the rare earth element category. The contents indicated that there is an urgent need to develop recycling techniques for the recovery of these valuable materials. When the digestion methods were compared to each other, it was found that different methods performed better on different types of metals. U.S.EPA.3050B is advised for Nd, Pd, Pr, Ag, Dy, Pt, Mn, Ce, Cd, Cr, Co, Al, Pb, while U.S.EPA.3051A performed better for Au, Mo, Zn, Cu, and Ni, and MMDM for La.

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Acknowledgements

The project is supported by Bogazici University Research Fund; Grant Number: 16Y00D7. We are thankful to Filiz Ayılmaz for her collaborative support during ICP-OES Analysis. We are thankful to Prof. Dr. Ing Kerstin Kuchta and Mehmet Ali Küçüker from Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Department of Waste Resources Management for providing e-waste samples.

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  1. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğaziçi University, Bebek, 34342, Istanbul, Turkey

    Merve Tunali, Mehmet Meric Tunali & Orhan Yenigun

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  1. Merve Tunali
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  2. Mehmet Meric Tunali
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Correspondence to Merve Tunali.

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Tunali, M., Tunali, M.M. & Yenigun, O. Characterization of different types of electronic waste: heavy metal, precious metal and rare earth element content by comparing different digestıon methods. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 23, 149–157 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-020-01108-0

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