Gold recovery through synergetic adsorption and reduction using acid–base additive‐reinforced tubular carbon nanofibers

Abstract

AbstractIn response to the increasing demand for gold in electronic manufacturing, this study addresses the urgent need for gold recycling from electronic waste (E‐waste) to ensure the environment and energy safety. This study focuses on the preparation of the tubular carbon nanofibers (TCNFs) integrating NH4+ and SO3− groups into TCNF‐SO3−‐NH4+, which exhibited remarkable gold adsorption capacity (2003.25 ± 0.23 mg/g) and selectivity (Kd; 41.7 × 103 mL/g) at lower pH. TCNF‐SO3−‐NH4+ achieved a 99.77% gold adsorption efficiency under lower pH conditions (pH = 1) from E‐waste. The adsorption capacity reached 3.54 ± 0.11 mg/g at an initial concentration of 0.85 mg/L. The results highlight the efficacy of TCNF‐SO3−‐NH4+ for extracting gold and other precious metal ions from E‐waste, presenting a promising solution for clean energy and environmental protection.