Recovery of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials from Electronic Waste Materials

Abstract

The exploitation of spent battery and electronic waste for the recovery and preparation of metal oxide nanomaterials (MONMs) is vital for technology, economical, sustainable, and environmental research. The recovery of MONMs through recycling waste materials reduces environmental pollutions and saves the primary resources due to industrial consumption. However, the economic benefits of recycling electronic waste for the recovery of these high-value MONMs have still been debated because of the low purity and stability of recovered materials restricting their commercial use. In this chapter, we discuss the motivation and importance of waste recycling for the recovery of nanomaterials, focusing on the possible techniques that can be applied for the efficient synthesis of commercial-grade MONMs (e.g., ferrites, zinc oxides, indium oxides, tin oxides, etc.) with high purity at a minimal cost. Besides, the profit of recovered MONMs in potential applications for wastewater remediation and renewable energy production are addressed.

Photocatalytic Materials Obtained from E-Waste Recycling: Review, Techniques, Critique, and Update

“…Generally, ZnO-based materials are recovered through pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy procedures [123]. Due to the rapid technological development across the world, the utilization of batteries has increased, and Zn-C and Zn-Mn batteries, as the commonly used types of batteries, are mostly used in small devices which can be regarded as secondary resources for some valuable elements such as Zn.…”