Evaluation of X-ray fluorescence for analysing critical elements in three electronic waste matrices: A comprehensive comparison of analytical techniques
As the drive towards recycling electronic waste increases, demand for rapid and reliable analytical methodology to analyse the metal content of the waste is increasing, e.g. to assess the value of the waste and to decide the correct recycling routes. Here, we comprehensively assess the suitability of different x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)-based techniques as rapid analytical tools for the determination of critical raw materials, such as Al, Ti, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Pd and Au, in three electronic waste matrices: printed circuit boards (PCB), light emitting diodes (LED), and lithium (Li)-ion batteries. As validated reference methods and materials to establish metrological traceability are lacking, several laboratories measured test samples of each matrix using XRF as well as other independent complementary techniques (instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ICP optical emission spectrometry (OES)) as an inter-laboratory comparison (ILC). Results highlighted key aspects of sample preparation, limits of detection, and spectral interferences that affect the reliability of XRF, while additionally highlighting that XRF can provide more reliable data for certain elements compared to digestion-based approaches followed by ICP-MS analysis (e.g. group 4 and 5 metals). A clear distinction was observed in data processing methodologies for wavelength dispersive XRF, highlighting that considering the metals present as elements (rather than oxides) induces overestimations of the mass fractions when compared to other techniques. Eventually, the effect of sample particle size was studied and indicated that smaller particle size (<200 µm) is essential for reliable determinations.
Authors
- Axel Pramann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1621-0339)
- Jessica A. Stammeier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3603-3272)
- Luigi Bergamaschi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2855-207X)
- Timo Sara-Aho
- Simone Trimmel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2102-5392)
- Daniel Pröfrock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2741-3027)
- Valérie Laperche (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3612-2467)
- Alessandra Rachetti
- Johanna Irrgeher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3192-0101)
- Giancarlo D’Agostino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4979-8602)
- Anita Roethke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3963-5287)
- Ole Klein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7052-2531)
- Marco Di Luzio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2455-5644)
- Eskil Sahlin
- Olaf Rienitz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5087-5812)
- Aida Jotanovic (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1158-5492)
- Shaun T. Lancaster (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8843-6893)
- Jean Philippe Ghestem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2141-0239)
- Solène Touzé (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0840-4494)
- Radojko Jačimović (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9007-4905)
- Jochen Vogl (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0104-748X)
- Claire Dalencourt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9764-857X)
- Marcus Oelze (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3950-6629)
- Lena Michaliszyn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5677-7519)
- Laura Feiner
- Markus Ostermann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8116-5808)
- Régine Gendre
- Gala Košarac
- Melissa Eberhard
Institutions
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE)
- Federal Institute For Materials Research and Testing (DE)
- Montanuniversität Leoben (AT)
- Finnish Environment Institute (FI)
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden (SE)
- Jožef Stefan Institute (SI)
- Eramet (France) (FR)
- Institute of Metrology of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (IT)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (DE)
- Sacred Heart Hospital (US)
- GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (DE)
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Waste Management
- Published
- 2024-10-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2024.10.015
- Citations
- 13
- Primary Topic
- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.81
Funders
- European Commission
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research