Efficient extraction of gold from e-waste using functional guanidinium
ionic liquids
Abstract
With the rapid development of modern industry, it is necessary to
effectively recycle precious metals such as gold and palladium from
e-waste. IL (ionic liquid) is an efficient extractant with high boiling
points, non-flammability, and high thermal stability. The properties of
IL can be improved by modifying the n-substituted groups of their
cations, enhancing the separation efficiency of noble metals. Thus, two
guanidinium ILs, with the substituents of -R and -OR, were synthesized
to extract Au(III) from a hydrochloric acid medium. These ILs exhibited
excellent extraction properties, including high selectivities, rapid
kinetics, and significant extraction capacities. The maximum extraction
capacities of Au(Ⅲ) by [diMTMG][Tf2N] and [diPTMG][Tf2N]
were 519.4mg/g and 427.9mg/g, respectively, achieving rapid extraction
equilibrium within 30s. The introduction of o-containing functional
atoms enhanced extraction capacity and selectivity. The extraction
mechanism involving anion exchange was confirmed by slope method, jobs
method, as well as ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis.