Evaluation of X-ray fluorescence for analysing critical elements in three electronic waste matrices: A comprehensive comparison of analytical techniques
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: As the drive towards recycling electronic waste increases, demand for rapid and reliable analytical methodology to analyse the metal content of the waste is increasing, for example to assess the value of the waste and to decide the correct recycling routes. Here, we comprehensively assess the suitability of different x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)-based techniques as rapid analytical tools for the determination of critical raw materials, such as Al, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Pd and Au, in three electronic waste matrices: printed circuit boards (PCB), light emitting diodes (LED), and lithium (Li)-ion batteries. As validated reference methods and materials to establish metrological traceability are lacking, several laboratories measured test samples of each matrix using XRF as well as other independent complementary techniques (instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ICP optical emission spectrometry (OES)) in the form of an inter-laboratory comparison (ILC). Results highlighted key aspects of sample preparation, limits of detection, and spectral interferences that affect the reliability of XRF – and additionally highlighting that XRF can provide more reliable data for certain elements compared to digestion-based approaches followed by ICP-MS analysis (e.g. group 4 and 5 metals). A clear distinction was observed in data processing methodologies for wavelength dispersive XRF, highlighting that considering the metals present as elements rather than oxides induces overestimations of the mass fractions. Eventually, the effect of sample particle size was studied and indicated that smaller particle size (< 200 µm) is essential for reliable determinations.
Source: Waste Management
Authors: Shaun T. Lancaster, Eskil Sahlin, Marcus Oelze, Markus Ostermann, Jochen Vogl, Valérie Laperche, Solène Touze, Jean-Philippe Ghestem, Claire Dalencourt, Régine Gendre, Jessica Stammeier, Ole Klein, Daniel Pröfrock, Gala Košarac, Aida Jotanovic, Luigi Bergamaschi, Marco Di Luzio, Giancarlo D’Agostino, Radojko Jaćimović, Melissa Eberhard, Laura Feiner, Simone Trimmel, Alessandra Rachetti, Timo Sara-Aho, Anita Roethke, Lena Michaliszyn, Axel Pramann, Olaf Rienitz, Johanna Irrgeher
Institutions: Montanuniversität Leoben, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Federal Institute For Materials Research and Testing, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, Eramet (France), GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Metrology of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Finnish Environment Institute, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Language: English
Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,280
Awards: G1042949448, G434337789, G6256673039
OpenAlex ID: W4403562424