The Effect of Specific Conditions on Cu, Ni, Zn and Al Recovery from PCBS Waste Using Acidophilic Bacterial Strains

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of static, stirring and shaking conditions on copper, zinc, nickel and aluminium dissolution from printed circuit boards (PCBs) using the mixed acidophilic bacterial culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The results revealed that static conditions were the most effective in zinc and aluminium dissolution. Zinc was removed almost completely under static conditions, whereas maximum of nickel dissolution was reached under the stirring conditions. The highest copper recovery (36%) was reached under stirring conditions. The shaking conditions appeared to be the least suitable. The relative importance of these systems for the bioleaching of copper and nickel decreased in the order: stirring, static conditions, shaking.

Solubility of Nickel Nanoparticles in Simulated Body Fluids

The paper is dedicated to nickel nanoparticles dissolution in simulated body fluids. By the example of industrial electroexplosive nickel nanopowder it has been demonstrated that dissolution degree in simulated lung fluid and simulated saliva can reach 98.0 and 62.8 wt.% for 24 hours, respectively. The mechanism of nickel dissolution has been proposed. It includes the dissolution of energy saturated oxide film, formed in oxygen saturated simulated saliva, the formation of nickel hydroxycitrate in simulated lung fluid as well.