Porous organic polycarbene nanotrap for efficient and selective gold stripping from electronic waste

Xinghao Li, Yong-Lei Wang, Jin Wen, Linlin Zheng, Cheng Qian, Zhonghua Cheng, Hongyu Zuo, Mingqing Yu, Jiayin Yuan, Rong Li, Weiyi Zhang () and Yaozu Liao ()
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Xinghao Li: Donghua University
Yong-Lei Wang: Stockholm University
Jin Wen: Donghua University
Linlin Zheng: Donghua University
Cheng Qian: Donghua University
Zhonghua Cheng: Donghua University
Hongyu Zuo: Donghua University
Mingqing Yu: Donghua University
Jiayin Yuan: Stockholm University
Rong Li: Donghua University
Weiyi Zhang: Donghua University
Yaozu Liao: Donghua University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The role of N-heterocyclic carbene, a well-known reactive site, in chemical catalysis has long been studied. However, its unique binding and electron-donating properties have barely been explored in other research areas, such as metal capture. Herein, we report the design and preparation of a poly(ionic liquid)-derived porous organic polycarbene adsorbent with superior gold-capturing capability. With carbene sites in the porous network as the “nanotrap”, it exhibits an ultrahigh gold recovery capacity of 2.09 g/g. In-depth exploration of a complex metal ion environment in an electronic waste-extraction solution indicates that the polycarbene adsorbent possesses a significant gold recovery efficiency of 99.8%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy along with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that the high performance of the polycarbene adsorbent results from the formation of robust metal-carbene bonds plus the ability to reduce nearby gold ions into nanoparticles. Density functional theory calculations indicate that energetically favourable multinuclear Au binding enhances adsorption as clusters. Life cycle assessment and cost analysis indicate that the synthesis of polycarbene adsorbents has potential for application in industrial-scale productions. These results reveal the potential to apply carbene chemistry to materials science and highlight porous organic polycarbene as a promising new material for precious metal recovery.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35971-w

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