Examining the evolution of metals utilized in printed circuit boards.
Management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has recently attracted worldwide attention because of high metal concentrations in them. Evolution of toxic and precious metals utilized in WEEE can not only reflect the adventure of eco-design, but can also guide the final recycling option. Pb, As, Cu, Au, Sn and Ag were determined in 10 composite samples of printed circuit boards of cathode ray tube televisions (TV-PCBs) that were produced between 1980 and 2005. The obtained results indicated that average metal concentrations in all TV-PCBs were - Cu: 10.6 ± 4.1%, Sn: 4.21 ± 0.90%, Pb: 3.15 ± 0.54%, Ag: 0.0215 ± 0.0068%, Au: 0.0068 ± 0.0049% and As: 0.0007 ± 0.0004%. No remarkable difference was found in compositions of Pb and Sn over the years, suggesting that there were no major modifications of Sn/Pb solder used in joining the circuitry system. The average composition of Cu fluctuated between 5.10% in 1980 and 12.8% in the mid-1990s and decreased afterwards. The decreases in Ag and Cu compositions could possibly be associated with thinner layers of these metals in newer model products.
a State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control , School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing , People's Republic of China.|b Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
Gilbert Umaye
GU
Adie
a State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control , School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Lingyu
L
Sun
a State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control , School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Xianlai
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5563-6098
X
Zeng
a State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control , School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Lixia
L
Zheng
b Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
Oladele
O
Osibanjo
a State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control , School of Environment, Tsinghua University , Beijing , People's Republic of China.
Jinhui
J
Li
D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D055984:Cathode Ray Tube; D059029:Electronic Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D013690:Television
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D001151:Arsenic
Printed circuit board; cathode ray tube; composition; e-waste; metals