Eco-Friendly Breakthrough: Recovering Tungsten from Semiconductor Waste

Researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have developed a groundbreaking method to recover tungsten from semiconductor waste. This innovative approach, using bioleaching, not only addresses a pressing environmental concern but also demonstrates economic feasibility, offering a sustainable solution for the tech industry’s waste management challenges.

Semiconductor manufacturing generates wastewater rich in rare metals like tungsten, which is essential in electronics, aviation, and automotive industries. Traditionally, disposing of this wastewater poses environmental and financial challenges. However, the research team led by Professor Jeehoon Han at POSTECH, in collaboration with SAIT researchers, has proven that this waste can be transformed into a valuable resource.

Tungsten is a critical metal, yet its natural reserves are limited and geographically concentrated. Recovering tungsten from industrial waste provides a dual benefit: conserving natural resources and reducing environmental harm.

The team employed a bioleaching technique using the fungus Penicillium simplicissimum. Commonly found in soil and plants, this microorganism dissolves tungsten and other metals from wastewater by deriving energy from them. This method is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical processes, requiring lower energy inputs and causing less environmental damage.

After bioleaching, the recovered tungsten undergoes purification using one of two processes: activated carbon-based adsorption-desorption or ammonium paratungstate (APT) precipitation. The researchers found that the adsorption-desorption process is 7% more cost-effective than precipitation.

The study, featured in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, clearly establishes the economic viability of this eco-friendly process. To boost efficiency, the researchers identified two critical factors: enhancing microbial strains and optimizing reaction times.

Highlighting the importance of the findings, Professor Jeehoon Han stated, “Our study demonstrates the economic and industrial feasibility of an eco-friendly bioleaching process for tungsten recovery.” Adding to this, Dr. Soonchun Chung from SAIT explained, “We aim to further improve the process by developing high-efficiency microbial strains.”

The new approach actively reduces the environmental harm caused by industrial wastewater while encouraging resource recycling. Moreover, it opens the door for broader applications of bioleaching to recover valuable metals from various types of industrial waste. By doing so, it directly supports the development of a circular economy in the tech sector.

Furthermore, this research demonstrates how waste can transform into a valuable resource. It underscores how innovative solutions not only tackle pressing environmental challenges but also deliver significant economic advantages.

Source: Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)