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Graphene recovers gold without the risks of mercury, promises to revolutionize mining and reduce the environmental problem of electronic waste in the world.
Discarded electronics can be a gold mine – literally. A study carried out by Chinese researchers from Tsinghua University, the Institute of Advanced Technology of Shenzhen under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and British Metals Research Institute under CAS and the University of Manchester recently discovered that reduced graphene oxide can extract gold from electronic waste with high efficiency and without needing other chemicals or energy.
In addition to its superficial uses in jewelry, gold is prized for use in electronic components thanks to its high electrical conductivity and ease of working. But electronic devices have a high turnover, and the recovery of gold and other precious metals is a process that is often complicated, inefficient, and requires chemicals or high heat.
But now, the researchers have developed a much simpler method for recovering gold from electronic waste. All it takes is a little graphene.
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Graphene as a philosopher's stone: extracting gold from waste, watch the video below and check it out!
Just 1 gram is enough to extract more than 95% of the gold in a given sample!
First, e-waste is ground and then dissolved in a solution. A membrane made of reduced graphene oxide is added, and within a few minutes, pure gold begins to accumulate on the surface of the membrane.
Just 1 gram of graphene is enough to extract almost twice that amount of gold, attracting more than 95% of the gold in a given sample, even at concentrations as low as one part per billion. Importantly, it does not attract other metals in the e-waste mix and subsequently the graphene membrane can be burned, leaving behind pure gold. New method could allow gold in electronics to be recycled rather than wasted
Graphene will help reduce the growing environmental problem of e-waste
“This apparent magic is essentially a simple electrochemical process,” said the Dr. Yang Su, main author of the study. “Unique interactions between graphene and gold ions drive the process and also produce exceptional selectivity. Only gold is extracted without other ions or salts.”
The team says the technique could help reduce the amount of gold that goes to waste, as well as reducing the growing environmental problem of e-waste. Other scientists have solved the problem by using solvents made largely from vinegar or other mild acids, or by designing circuit boards that crumble when placed in hot water.
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Excellent report!
The technological world is amazing and full of endless possibilities, overcome difficulties and always believe in your vast imagination.