Electronic Waste-derived Materials for Advanced Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the electronic industry has resulted in an unprecedented accumulation of electronic wastes (e-wastes). E-wastes contain substantial amounts of heavy metals, polymers, and hazardous organic compounds that, if improperly managed, can pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Nevertheless, recent studies have highlighted the potential of e-waste to be transformed into functional materials aligning with sustainable development principles. This review comprehensively summarizes advanced methodologies for transforming e-waste into value-added materials, including thermal treatment, chemical activation, oxidative exfoliation, biomass-based green reduction, wet-chemical synthesis, and direct electrode recycling. The resulting e-waste-derived materials (EDMs) exhibit distinctive physicochemical properties, including high specific surface area, abundant functional groups, inherent electrical conductivity, and embedded metallic component. Representative case studies further demonstrate their efficiency in removing dyes, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while simultaneously enabling resource recovery. Despite these promising outcomes, challenges remain regarding large-scale implementation, material stability, and prevention of potential secondary pollution. Future research should prioritize environmentally benign synthesis routes, systematic life-cycle assessments, and integrated treatment strategies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of wastewater remediation using EDMs.