Abstract

Copper, an essential metal with diverse applications in electronics, renewable energy systems, and antimicrobial functions is increasingly vital. The proliferation of electronic waste (e-waste) has exacerbated environmental concerns. E-waste, rich in copper, represents a promising secondary source. This study addresses the urgent need to develop sustainable methods for copper recovery from e-waste. This work introduces an eco-friendly approach, using chitosan biopolymer in an aqueous solution, enabling simultaneous leaching and sorption of copper from printed circuit board (PCB) flakes. Systematic investigations covering a pH range from 2 to 12 at 60 C demonstrated optimal copper recovery conditions at pH 10. The recovered copper, identified as cupric diethyldithiocarbamate, was confirmed through various analytical techniques, including UV-Vis, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and Single Crystal XRD, with quantification by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Subsequently, the copper-sorbed chitosan was ingeniously transformed into Cu-CuO nanoparticles on a nitrogen-doped carbon matrix, offering a new perspective as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The resulting anode exhibited superior performance with high coulombic efficiency, validated through cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) profiles, and extended cycle testing at 1C. This work highlights the efficacy of sustainable chitosan biopolymer in copper recovery from e-waste and promotes eco-friendly strategies for extracting metals from the growing e-waste problem. It not only underscores the importance of recycling copper but also emphasizes the potential of upcycling this valuable resource for sustainable applications in the lithium-ion battery.