A process for production of copper oxide nano particles

(purity >99.9%) from printed circuit boards (PCBs)/powder

concentrate, using indigeneously developed polymeric resin.

Such a process is developed for the first time wherein,

one of the potentially hazardous waste (e-waste) is processed

to produce highly techno-commercial and anti-viral product

(copper oxide nano particles). 

This technology empowers metal recyclers to start production of high purity copper oxide nanoparticles whose current market rate is about Rs 18,000/- per kg. This process also ensures toxic ‘lead’ free effluent discharge from PCBs processing. For an e-waste rich country like India, if this technology is adopted at various levels, our dependence on primary copper production may also come down. 

Electronics Manufacturing, sensors and solar cells, anti-microbial and anti-fouling coatings, electrochemical energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis and rocket propulsion. 

In India, according to ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce 

and Industry of India) the compound annual growth rate of e-waste 

is 30%, with estimated annual generation of 5.2 million tonnes of 

e-waste by 2020. On one hand this is a serious environmental 

concern due to heavy metal toxicity, on the other hand it is a 

promising urban mine and can become a national resource of

valuable metals. In recent years recycling of e-waste is 

considered for recovery of valuable as well as hazardous metals, 

one of the major components being Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 

from spent electronic accessories, which contains about 10-20% 

copper by mass. Although base metal copper and copper oxide (CuO) 

has low commercial value, CuO nanoparticles have immense 

commercial value and unique applications. 

The process developed is for specifically enabling environmentally 

concerned metal recyclers to achieve scaled-up production of high 

purity copper oxide nanoparticles in continuous mode operation 

from waste PCBs. The major steps are leaching, selective metal 

sorption/desorption by functionalized polymeric resins, 

precipitation and filtration of the product for final drying, 

production of CuO nanoparticles, PbS, SnO and packaging. 

All the unit operations are easily scalable and the necessary 

process equipments are commercially available and

are not capital intensive. Technology for synthesis of Cu-selective

resin is also given along with the process.

This technology thus provides the 

advantage of commercially producing very high purity metal 

compounds right from e-scrap, thus providing considerable 

financial gains at the same time mitigating the environmental 

concerns of ever increasing e-waste, transforming 

it into a valuable resource for making the country 

technologically self-reliant. 

This technology empowers metal recyclers to start production of high purity copper oxide nanoparticles whose current market rate is about Rs 18,000/- per kg. This process also ensures toxic ‘lead’ free effluent discharge from PCBs processing. For an e-waste rich country like India, if this technology is adopted at various levels, our dependence on primary copper production may also come down. 

Electronics Manufacturing, sensors and solar cells, anti-microbial and anti-fouling coatings, electrochemical energy storage, heterogeneous catalysis and rocket propulsion. 

A process for production of copper oxide nano particles

(purity >99.9%) from printed circuit boards (PCBs)/powder

concentrate, using indigeneously developed polymeric resin.

Such a process is developed for the first time wherein,

one of the potentially hazardous waste (e-waste) is processed

to produce highly techno-commercial and anti-viral product

(copper oxide nano particles). 

1) Depopulating unit: 

For making bare PCB boards free of other components

2) Delamination unit: 

Removal of polymer layer over PCB board for effective leaching

3) Leaching unit:

Leach reactor with agitator, electricity and water supply, Nutsche filter 

for separation of leach liquor and storage leach liquor, 

HCl handling and storage and feed preparation tank 

4) Metal sorption/desorption unit: 

Novel Cu-selective resins, Cylindical Acrylic columns for holding 

polymeric resins, pumps with flow control, suitable piping, 

electricity and water supply, eluent preparation and storage tank

5) Precipitation unit: 

Reactor with agitator for precipitation of copper compound 

from loaded eluent and filtration using Nutsche filter 

6) Heating Furnace: Product drying, conversion to oxide

7) Packaging unit: For packing products CuO NPs, PbS 

and SnO powders

8) Analytical facility: For continuous analysis of Cu, impurities like 

Pb and Sn, pH etc.

9) Demineralization/decontamination unit: Ion-exchange unit

for recycling/disposal of process water after removal of ions.

10) Ventilation system: For handling HCl fumes generated 

during leaching

11) Electrical Supply: Required for running of various

 process equipment

12) Chemical Storage Unit: Stocking of raw materials 

needed for different unit operations

13) Facility for synthesis of Cu-selective resin