Hybrid Aerogel

In December, 2024, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune unveiled a novel hybrid aerogel that efficiently extracts gold from electronic waste, offering a sustainable solution for e-waste management.

Key Points

Hybrid Aerogel Development: Researchers at IISER Pune have created a hybrid aerogel that extracts up to 99% of gold ions from electronic waste, potentially revolutionizing e-waste recycling processes.
Dual Process of Adsorption and Reduction: The aerogel uses both adsorption and reduction techniques, enabling the retrieval of gold with high purity and reducing the need for further refining.
Economic Benefits: This method provides an economic return by turning e-waste into valuable resources, promoting sustainable waste management and contributing to a circular economy.
Sustainable Solution for E-Waste: As electronic waste continues to rise globally, this technique offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gold extraction methods, which often involve harmful mining practices.
Increased E-Waste Generation in India: India’s e-waste generation has surged by 131% between 2020 and 2022, contributing to the growing global concern regarding the hazardous effects of improper waste disposal.
E-Waste Content: E-waste contains valuable metals like gold, copper, and silver, and extracting these resources sustainably can help meet the demand for these materials.
Potential for Scaled-Up Impact: The success of the aerogel, capable of extracting gold at rates of 1689mg/gram in daylight and 2349mg/gram under blue light, has the potential to address the global e-waste challenge if scaled-up.