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Food Waste Aerogel Efficiently Recovers Gold from E-Waste

Date:6 Feb 2024

Country: Switzerland

Plant Name:
Residue Name:

    Process waste/Secondary residue

End Products

Biomaterials

protein-based aerogel

Application

  • E-waste recycling: Efficiently recovers gold and other valuable metals from electronic waste using sustainable materials.

Description

Researchers developed a protein-based aerogel from food waste, specifically whey protein, to recover gold from e-waste. This aerogel has exceptional porosity and selectivity, adsorbing three times more gold per gram than activated carbon. The method is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, producing high-purity gold nuggets. The team is exploring other food waste proteins for similar recycling applications.

Pathway Description:

The researchers created a protein-based aerogel by dissolving whey protein in an acidic solution and heating it to unravel the proteins into strands. The solution was then freeze-dried, forming a lightweight, porous aerogel. When exposed to an e-waste solution, the aerogel selectively adsorbed gold ions, leaving other metals behind. The gold was later recovered by burning the aerogel, producing high-purity gold nuggets.

 

 

Source: Know More...

Tags: Protein AerogelGold From WasteSustainable Gold Recovery

End Products

Biomaterials

protein-based aerogel

Feedstock

Types of Feedstock

Secondary agricultural residue

Name

Kale residue

Form

Powdered form

Commercials

Generated as byproducts from kale harvesting and processing

Logistics

Gathered from urban farming companies and agricultural operations that produce kale as a primary crop

Characteristics

Rich in phytochemicals such as polyphenols

Pathways

Chemical

Protein dissolution

Thermal

combustion,Heating

Mechanical

Freeze-drying