Separation and concentration of valuable and critical materials from wasted LEDs by physical processes.

摘要: Abstract The generation of wasted LEDs is expected to grow in the coming years, raising challenge recycling and recovering their valuable critical materials. Due low concentration these materials, current processes available for have a significant recovery limitation. This study proposes an innovative, clean effective physical method segregate materials into different fractions while enhancing concentration: particle size separation followed by electrostatic separation. After determination best conditions (varying tension rotation) each size, final were characterized acid digestion ICP-OES analysis. analysis revealed that economically elements gold, silver, copper tin became concentrated conductive (80.18%, 94.22%, 96.55% 93.29% total recovered mass, respectively), strategic elements, gallium, cerium yttrium non-conductive (96.15%, 100% 95.20% respectively). Despite some limitations imposed mass losses, this novel route may be important uncover new alternatives, mainly improve economic viability routes.