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As a way to manage neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB) magnets wasted in end-of-life hard disk drives (HDDs), a waste characterization is needed prior to a recycling process. Due to their magnetic properties, NdFeB magnets are essential in technological applications nowadays, thus causing an increase in the industrial demand for rare earth metals. However, these metals have a short supply, since they are difficult to obtain from ores, creating a critical market. In this work, a study of the characterization of sintered neodymium–iron–boron magnets was undertaken by qualitatively and quantitatively uncovering the neodymium recovery potential from this type of electronic waste. From the collection and disassembly of hard disk drives, in which the magnet represents less than 3% of the total weight, an efficient demagnetization process was proceeded at 320 °C. Then, the magnet was ground and screened for an X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, which showed the Nd 2 Fe 14 B tetragonal phase as the dominant constituent of the sample. An analysis was also carried out in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), where the magnet composition showed 21.5 wt% of neodymium and 65.1 wt% of iron, among other chemicals. This Nd content is higher than the one found in Nd ores, enhancing the recyclability and the importance of waste management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Eco-friendly processes are used to segregate and concentrate LED materials; • Critical materials (Ga, Ce, Y) were separated from other metals in different fraction; • The concentration of valuable (Au, Ag, Cu, Sn) and critical materials was enhanced; • Segregation/concentration of critical materials may lead to new recycling routes; • The proposed processes may improve the economic viability of the recycling routes; The generation of wasted LEDs is expected to grow in the coming years, raising the challenge of recycling and recovering their valuable and critical materials. Due to the low concentration of these materials, the current recycling processes available for LEDs have a significant recovery limitation. This study proposes an innovative, clean and effective physical method to segregate the valuable and critical materials into different fractions while enhancing their concentration: particle size separation followed by electrostatic separation. After the determination of the best electrostatic separation conditions (varying tension and rotation) for each particle size, the final fractions were characterized by acid digestion and ICP-OES analysis. The analysis revealed that the economically valuable elements gold, silver, copper and tin became concentrated in the conductive fractions (80.18%, 94.22%, 96.55% and 93.29% of their total recovered mass, respectively), while the strategic critical elements, gallium, cerium and yttrium became concentrated in the non-conductive fractions (96.15%, 100% and 95.20% of their total recovered mass, respectively). Despite some limitations imposed by the mass losses, this novel route may be important to uncover new recycling alternatives, mainly for critical elements, and to improve the economic viability of the recycling routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Characterization of automotive catalysts to identify the main components. • Calcination and comminution increasing exposure of PGMs for subsequent recovery. • Investigating the possibility of leaching of PGMs by using three organic acids. • Recovery of over 90% of Pt and Pd in 6 M HCl and 20% (v/v) citric acid. An efficient and environmentally friendly new process is described for the recovery of platinum group metals from spent automotive catalysts. The process consists of the application of mechanical processing followed by heat treatment and leaching, with the aim of reducing the use of acids that can have adverse effects in the environment. The extraction of PGMs was carried out using HCl associated with malic, formic, and citric acids. Evaluation was made of the effects of parameters including acid concentration, volumes of inorganic and organic acids, solid to liquid (S/L) ratio, and extraction time. The automotive catalyst powders were characterized using XRD, SEM/EDS, particle size distribution, and EDXRF techniques. The spent automotive catalysts contained reasonable concentrations of Pt and Pd. Over 90% of the Pt and Pd could be recovered in a leaching process using 6 M HCl, S/L ratio of 1:30, and 20% (v/v) citric acid. The findings showed that citric acid can be used in the recovery of PGMs from spent automotive catalysts, decreasing the use of aggressive and corrosive acids often employed in the recovery of these metals. Hence, the addition of organic acids can contribute to efficient and environmentally friendly processes for the recovery of Pt and Pd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel assessment of the materials distribution within tubular and bulb LED lamps; • Gold, silver and others exceed the natural ore concentrations. Found presence of lead; • LEDs are the most valuable LED lamp component, and gold the most valuable material; • Most of the gallium content is in the printed circuit boards, not in the LEDs; • Need of new recycling alternatives and eco-design to segregate the components; LED lamps have already conquered the market of general lighting. This new product will generate a substantial flow of e-waste requiring studies for the correct management, especially concerning recycling alternatives. This study proposes a material characterization of all the tubular and bulb LED lamp components (carcass, LEDs, printed circuit board and LED module). After manual disassembling, polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the metals by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and acid leaching followed by ICP-OES analysis. By the novelty of separating and characterizing the LED lamp's components, a process which has not yet been studied, the results allow for a better interpretation of the different materials distribution within the lamps which is essential to improve the efficiency of a recycling route. To exemplify, the element gallium, which has a recycling appeal from the LEDs, is present in a larger quantity in the printed circuit boards. The study also provides an analysis of the materials recycling rates and economic values, and the comparison with the concentration of natural ores. Thus, it was possible to discuss about target components and materials and the recycling alternatives for each component. LED lamps contain interesting materials, with even higher concentrations than natural ores, such as gold, silver, copper, aluminum, tin and gallium. If recycled, tubular lamps and bulb lamps would have the economic recovery of USD 2405.99 and USD 2595.02 per ton, respectively. The gold was found to be the most valuable material, and the LEDs the most valuable component of the LED lamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]