The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has made a groundbreaking development in the field of metal resource recovery with the creation of a technology that can selectively recover high-purity gold from electronic waste using textile materials. This innovation comes at a crucial time as the global demand for circular resources continues to rise.
Traditionally, adsorbents for metal recovery have been granular in shape, but KIST researchers have taken a different approach by chemically immobilizing alkaline molecules on the surface of polyacrylonitrile (PANF) fibers. This modification has not only improved the structural stability of the fibers but also significantly enhanced the adsorption performance of gold ions in waste solutions.
The team’s fibrous adsorbent has shown remarkable efficiency in recovering gold from real electronic waste solutions, achieving a recovery rate of over 99.9%. Even in the presence of other metal ions, the adsorbent can selectively recover gold with a purity of over 99.9%. Additionally, the material has demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining a high recovery rate even after multiple uses.
Dr. Jae-Woo Choi, the lead researcher on the project, highlighted the potential impact of this technology on reducing Korea’s dependence on resource imports and mitigating the risks associated with fluctuating raw material prices. The team plans to expand their research to target the recovery of other metals in addition to gold.
This innovative research, funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, has been published in the prestigious Chemical Engineering Journal, showcasing the significant contribution of KIST to the field of materials innovation. The development of this technology marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient approach to metal resource recovery.