Extraction of Metallic Nanoparticles from Electronic Waste for Biomedical Applications: Pioneering Sustainable Technological Progress

Sunil Kumar, Harbinder Singh (), Harjeevan Singh, Himanshi Soni, Mikhael Bechelany and Jagpreet Singh ()
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Sunil Kumar: Department of Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 201308, UP, India
Harbinder Singh: Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Chandigarh University, 140413 Mohali, PB, India
Harjeevan Singh: Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Chandigarh University, 140413 Mohali, PB, India
Himanshi Soni: Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140417, PB, India
Mikhael Bechelany: Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM), UMR-5635, University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS, Place Eugène Bataillon, CEDEX 5, 34095 Montpellier, France
Jagpreet Singh: Department of Chemistry, Research & Incubation Center, Rayat Bahra University, Mohali 140103, PB, India

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-36

Abstract: The extraction of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has gained extensive attention from researchers for eco-friendly, reliable, and sustainable alternative protocol over the traditional linear economic approach (make-use-dispose) for boosting the circular economy. A plethora of MNPs including metals/metal oxide nanoparticles having a size dimension ranging from 1–100 nanometers (nm) have been extracted from these WEEE by using different chemical, physical, and biological methods. Recovery of certain precious MNPs can be achieved by dismantling and recycling electronic waste items in the form of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag), and copper oxide (CuO). These MNPs provide a huge range of applications such as antibacterial, therapeutic, target drug delivery, and biotechnological applications. This comprehensive review provides in-depth knowledge of the synthesis of MNPs using different techniques from WEEE and delves into their potential applications in biomedical fields with in-depth mechanisms. This article also discussed global challenges and opportunities in this area for adopting the concept of circular economy to conserve natural resources for future generations and hence create a greener environment and protect our planet.

Keywords: metallic nanoparticles; electronic waste; bioleaching; circular economy; drug delivery; bioimaging; catalysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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