title: Characterization of PCBs from computers and mobile phones, and the proposal of newly developed materials for substitution of gold, lead and arsenic.
abstract: In this paper, we have analyzed parts of printed circuit board (PCB) and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens of mobile phones and computers, quantitative and qualitative chemical compositions of individual components, and complete PCBs were determined. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods were used to determine the temperatures of phase transformations, whereas qualitative and quantitative compositions of the samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analyses. The microstructure of samples was studied by optical microscopy. Based on results of the analysis, a procedure for recycling PCBs is proposed. The emphasis was on the effects that can be achieved in the recycling process by extraction of some parts before the melting process. In addition, newly developed materials can be an adequate substitute for some of the dangerous and harmful materials, such as lead and arsenic are proposed, which is in accordance with the European Union (EU) Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) directive as well as some alternative materials for use in the electronics industry instead of gold and gold alloys.
authors: University in Priština, Kos. Mitrovica, Serbia. dervisevicirma@hotmail.com
authors: Irma
authors: I
authors: Dervišević
authors: Duško
authors: D
authors: Minić
authors: Željko
authors: Ž
authors: Kamberović
authors: Vladan
authors: V
authors: Ćosović
authors: Mirjana
authors: M
authors: Ristić
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D040421:Cell Phone; D003201:Computers; D004055:Differential Thermal Analysis; D005062:European Union; D006046:Gold / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D059027:Recycling; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D007854:Lead; D006046:Gold; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; D001151:Arsenic