Identification and recovery of rare earth elements from electronic waste: Material characterization and recovery strategies

The sustained growth of the electronic and electrical industries necessitates not only efficient energy utilization throughout all manufacturing stages but also the recycling of end-of-life electric and electronic components. However, rapid advancements, miniaturization, and added value have led to a significant accumulation of e-waste, posing environmental concerns. Rare Earth Elements (REE) are considered critical raw materials that face a risk of global supply shortage due to their highly desirable performance-enhancing properties such as corrosion resistance. This study focuses on identification and exploring the recycling possibilities of different types of electronic waste for Rare Earth Materials. The electronic waste is first disassembled and categorized, after which material characterization techniques are employed to identify Rare Earth Elements (REEs). X-Ray Diffraction, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy are utilized for this identification. Subsequently, an in-depth review of existing literature is conducted to ascertain the most appropriate method for recovering these REEs. Neodymium and Dysprosium are among the REEs identified in the electronic waste samples.