Olamilekan John Olowolagba
Department Of Chemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology Akure, P.O. Box 704, Akure, Nigeria Akure 234 Ondo State . olamilekanjohnolowolagba@gmail.com

Omolade Richard Oluwafunso

Department Of Chemistry, School of Science, Federal University of Technology Akure, P.O. Box 704, Akure, Nigeria Akure 234 Ondo State Nigeria. Nggm4richey@yahoo.com

Abstract

Copper, a soft malleable, and ductile metal with extremely high thermal and electrical conductivity has become an essential resource for human development. Its status as a fundamental raw material used across many industries and sectors of the economy makes copper a reliable economic indicator. With high demands in copper due to the increasing necessities to create more green and sustainable economies, there is a need for the world to focus on recycling efforts as an alternative source of copper, as well as develop faster and efficient methods of its retrieval from waste products.

This study investigates the leaching of copper from printed circuit boards (PCB) sheets obtained from end-to-life mobile phones using the green leaching agent-acetic acid (CH3COOH) on its own and as a mixture with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a potentially green and effective option. The copper content of the PCB samples was determined by aqua regia digestion and was found to be (509.89 ± 126.67) mg/g. Thereafter, the efficiency of CH3COOH was investigated by varying its concentration. Results show that CH3COOH is a poor leaching agent with the best efficiency of (2.1 ± 0.2) % observed at 5 M (the highest concentration tested). However, leaching copper from PCB samples using CH3COOH can still be achieved, but at average efficiency in combination with a green oxidant - H2O2. The increased efficiency observed using H2O2 indicates that the copper leaching process could be achieved using green leaching agents.

KEYWORDS: copper, leaching agent, printed circuit boards(PCB), CH3COOH, Aqua Regia