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Molecules
Volume 29
Issue 19
10.3390/molecules29194624
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Review

A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste

by
Binjun Liang
1,
Jihan Gu
1,2,
Xiangrong Zeng
1,
Weiquan Yuan
1,
Mingjun Rao
3,
Bin Xiao
1,* and
Haixiang Hu
1,*
1
Ganzhou Key Laboratory of Mine Geological Disaster Prevention and Control and Ecological Restoration, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Gannan University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
2
Chongyi Green Metallurgy New Energy Co., Ltd., Ganzhou 341300, China
3
School of Minerals Processing & Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2024, 29(19), 4624; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624
Submission received: 17 August 2024 / Revised: 21 September 2024 / Accepted: 25 September 2024 / Published: 29 September 2024
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Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) contains valuable rare earth elements (REEs) essential for various high-tech applications, making their recovery crucial for sustainable resource management. This review provides an overview of the occurrence of REEs in e-waste and discusses both conventional and emerging green technologies for their recovery. Conventional methods include physical separation, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy, while innovative approaches such as bioleaching, supercritical fluid extraction, ionic liquid extraction, and lanmodulin-derived peptides offer improved environmental sustainability and efficiency. The article presents case studies on the extraction of REEs from waste permanent magnets and fluorescent powders, highlighting the specific processes involved. Future research should focus on developing eco-friendly leaching agents, separation materials, and process optimization to enhance the overall sustainability and efficiency of REE recovery from e-waste, addressing both resource recovery and environmental concerns effectively.
Keywords: electronic waste; rare earth elements; recovery; green technologies; hydrometallurgy electronic waste; rare earth elements; recovery; green technologies; hydrometallurgy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Liang, B.; Gu, J.; Zeng, X.; Yuan, W.; Rao, M.; Xiao, B.; Hu, H. A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste. Molecules 2024, 29, 4624. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624

AMA Style

Liang B, Gu J, Zeng X, Yuan W, Rao M, Xiao B, Hu H. A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste. Molecules. 2024; 29(19):4624. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liang, Binjun, Jihan Gu, Xiangrong Zeng, Weiquan Yuan, Mingjun Rao, Bin Xiao, and Haixiang Hu. 2024. "A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste" Molecules 29, no. 19: 4624. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624

APA Style

Liang, B., Gu, J., Zeng, X., Yuan, W., Rao, M., Xiao, B., & Hu, H. (2024). A Review of the Occurrence and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste. Molecules, 29(19), 4624. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194624

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