title: Analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and multivariate analysis.
abstract: This study shows the application of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) investigation. Several emission spectra were obtained for 7 different mobiles from 4 different manufacturers. Using the emission spectra of the black components it was possible to see some differences among the manufacturers and some emission lines from organic elements and molecules (N, O, CN and C2) led to the highest contribution for this differentiation. Some polymeric internal parts in contact with the inner pieces of the mobiles and covered with a special paint presented a strong emission signal for Cr. The white pieces presented mainly Al, Ba and Ti in their composition. Finally, this study developed a procedure for LIBS emission spectra using chemometric strategies and suitable information can be obtained for identification of manufacturer and counterfeit products. In addition, the results obtained can improve the classification for establishing recycling strategies of e-waste.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición y Bromatología, Universidad de Alicante, Apdo. 99, Alicante E-03080, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ángel Aguirre
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canals
authors.forename: Joaquim A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nóbrega
authors.forename: Edenir R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Pereira-Filho
mesh_terms: D004581:Electronics; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D007834:Lasers; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D059027:Recycling; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010969:Plastics; D011108:Polymers; D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: Chemometric strategies; Hazardous elements; Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy; Waste electrical equipment; Waste electronic equipment