University of Aberdeen researchers are leading a project that aims to create a new method of recycling critical elements from electronic devices, helping to breathe new life into old smartphone and vehicle batteries and reduce e-waste.

Academics at the university’s Department of Chemistry have received £140,000 from the AXA Research Fund for the two-year project, which seeks to develop a sustainable electrochemical recycling route by looking at the use of neoteric (green) solvents.

Combined with the use of a flow electrochemical cell that will be designed and engineered to extract the elements, the aim is to make the separation and recovery of rare and critical earth elements efficient, safer, and cleaner.

If successful, the project could have a significant impact in reducing electronic and electrical equipment waste. The world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste a year, but only 20% of this is formally recycled, according to a UN report.

Leading the project is Dr Haytham Hussein, from the University of Aberdeen’s chemistry department. Speaking on the research and why it’s being undertaken, he said: “Critical and rare raw elements are essential in our modern society, powering industry, homes and our personal devices but this has resulted in the rapid and unsustainable growth in electrical and electronic equipment waste.

“Global accessibility to these vital resources poses a significant challenge due to their rapidly increasing demand and ever-decreasing supply, but the international use of critical resources is expected to continue surging.

“This means that it is essential to discover and develop efficient recovery methods of elements from waste to enable the transition to a sustainable circular economy.

“This will reduce waste and it could also reduce demand for these elements from countries where child labour is used in the mining industry.”

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Dr Hussein further commented: “Our two-year project aims to develop a sustainable recycling route for elements recovery from batteries and electronic waste for further reuse, utilising tailored green solvents and an innovative experimental approach based on a flow electrochemical cell and electrically conductive synthetic diamond.

“If proven, it has the potential for commercialisation and the creation of a valuable, secondary raw stream for urban mining and recycling that could play a significant role in the sustainable economy.”