by Industries such as plating, semiconductors, automobiles, batteries, and renewable energy generate large amounts of wastewater containing valuable metals. The recovery of these metals is not only crucial for environmental protection but also for economic reasons. Chemicals are commonly used to precipitate heavy metal ions in wastewater, but this method poses potential risks, such as the leakage of hazardous chemicals. Therefore, there is a growing need for more sustainable and eco-friendly technologies.
Addressing this issue, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has made a significant breakthrough. Dr. Jae-Woo Choi’s team at the Water Resource Cycle Research Center has developed a fiber-like material that can recover metal ions from water through adsorption and crystallization. Remarkably, the recovered metal crystals can desorb and regenerate themselves, making the process highly efficient and sustainable. The study detailing this breakthrough has been published in Advanced Fiber Materials.
The KIST research team achieved this success by utilizing the phenomenon in which metal ions in water crystallize when certain chemical functional groups are fixed on the surface of a fiber-like material. By introducing a technology to remove the formed crystals, they created a semi-permanent adsorption material. When tested with copper ions, the maximum adsorption amount of existing adsorbents reached only about 1,060 mg/g. However, with the developed material, near-infinite adsorption performance can be achieved.
Furthermore, conventional high-performance adsorbents are typically in the form of small granules, ranging from a few nanometers to tens of micrometers in diameter. This limits their utility underwater, making it challenging to apply them in actual metal recovery processes. In contrast, the metal recovery material developed by the KIST research team takes the form of fibers, which makes it easier to control underwater and enables its practical application.
One notable advantage of the developed material is that it is based on acrylic fibers, which allows for mass production using a wet spinning process. Additionally, waste clothing can be utilized in the production process. This aspect not only enhances the sustainability of the technology but also contributes to waste management efforts.
By implementing this wastewater recycling technology, industries can reduce their dependence on overseas sources for valuable metals that are in high demand. This development not only offers a solution for effective metal recovery but also promotes the circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources. Furthermore, the eco-friendliness of the technology addresses the growing concerns about environmental protection and sustainability.
The KIST research team’s achievement marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient approach to metal recovery from industrial wastewater. As they continue to enhance this technology, it holds great potential to revolutionize the way valuable metals are obtained, making a positive impact on both the environment and the economy.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
