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Recycling of GaN, a Refractory eWaste Material: Understanding the Chemical Thermodynamics
Author(s) -
Swain Basudev,
Mishra Chinmayee,
Lee KunJae,
Hong Hyun Seon,
Park KyungSoo,
Lee Chan Gi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of applied ceramic technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.4
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1744-7402
pISSN - 1546-542X
DOI - 10.1111/ijac.12473
Subject(s) - leaching (pedology) , extended producer responsibility , electronic waste , hazardous waste , waste management , materials science , electronic equipment , roasting , electronics , environmental science , metallurgy , engineering , electrical engineering , soil science , soil water
South Korea is a major producer of light‐emitting diode ( LED ) material, contributing 31% of total LED demand worldwide, and also a major consumer of electronic devices. During manufacturing and after end of life ( EOL ) of the consumer electronics, significant amount of GaN‐bearing waste is being generated. As the Republic of Korea depends upon the import of all mineral commodities, under the national policy of securing a stable supply, much attention has been paid to the notion of “urban mining.” The stringent international environmental directive for recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment ( WEEE ), United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) E‐Waste Management goal, restriction of the use of hazardous substances in EEE (Ro HS ), and extended producer responsibility ( EPR ) have made recycling an important responsibility. Recovery of the gallium from GaN‐bearing waste can be a promising feasible option; simultaneously from the waste, the wealth can be generated. As GaN is a refractory material, which is hard to leach in the recovery process, hence, needs a chemical pretreatment. In this study, thermodynamics of GaN oxidation and oxidative roasting using Na 2 CO 3 has been studied. Thermodynamic feasibility for leaching of oxidized GaN either through acidic leaching or through alkali leaching has been explored.