LED scraps consisting of highly crystalline GaN and their leaching behavior are comprehensively investigated for hydro-metallurgical recovery of rare metals. Highly stable GaN renders the leaching of the LED scraps extremely difficult in ordinary acidic and basic media. More favorable state can be obtained by way of high temperature solid-gas reaction of GaN-Na2CO3 powder mixture, ball-milled thoroughly at room temperature and subsequently oxidized under ambient air environment at 1000-1200 ℃ in a horizontal tube furnace, where GaN was effectively oxidized into gallium oxides. Stoichiometry analysis reveals that GaN is completely transformed into gallium oxides with Ga contents of ~73 wt%. Accordingly, the oxidized powder can be suitably leached to ~96% efficiency in a boiling 4 M HCl solution, experimentally confirming the feasibility of Ga recycling system development.
Leaching of MOCVD dust in the LED industry is an essential stage for hydro-metallurgical recovery of pure Ga and In. To recover Ga and In, the leaching behavior of MOCVD scrap of an LED, which contains significant amounts of Ga, In, Al and Fe in various phases, has been investigated. The leaching process must be performed effectively to maximize recovery of Ga and In metals using the most efficient lixiviant. Crystalline structure and metallic composition of the raw MOCVD dust were analyzed prior to digestion. Subsequently, various mineral acids were tested to comprehensively study and optimize the leaching parameters such as acidity, pulp density, temperature and time. The most effective leaching of Ga and In was observed for a boiling 4 M HCl solution vigorously stirred at 400 rpm. Phase transformation of GaN into gallium oxide by heat treatment also improved the leaching efficiency of Ga. Subsequently high purity Ga and In can be recovered by series of hydro processes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.