Circuit board | Image Credit: © jules - stock.adobe.com

Researchers at Fukuoka University unveil intricate elemental composition and durability properties within PCB powder, revolutionizing electronic waste recycling.
Recently, Shintaro Ichikawa of Fukuoka University and his team investigated the chemical states and elemental composition within a printed-circuit board (PCB) powder. Their findings were published in Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, revealing new insights into metal recovery processes from electronic waste (1).
Circuit board | Image Credit: © jules - stock.adobe.com
Ichikawa and his research team obtained the powdered sample of the PCB through cryo-milling, which is the process of using liquid nitrogen to lower the temperature of the sample prior to grinding into aa fine powder (1). Then, they analyzed its elemental composition using advanced techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Using XRF and XRD analysis, the research team examined the various particle fractions, uncovering various elements distributed in the powder, including aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) (1).
The particle-size distribution revealed distinct fractions, with sizes ranging from 27 to 500 μm. These fractions exhibited specific elemental concentrations, categorizing the components into coarse, moderately sized, and fine-particle fractions, each containing various elements based on their tendencies for accumulation (1).
The researchers discovered through analysis of the particles that the metallic components like aluminum and nickel showcased durability owing to their high ductility, whereas ceramic materials such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) concentrated in the fine-particle fraction because of their fragile nature.
The research team also used multivariate statistical analyses to learn more about the amorphous components in the powder. They discovered that they were comprised of silicon, calcium, bromine, and tin (1). This distinction in components' chemical states unveiled varying durability properties among the PCB constituents.
The detailed diffraction patterns unveiled the chemical forms in which elements existed within the PCB powder, such as metallic aluminum and Al2O3, metallic silicon, Fe3O4, metallic nickel, metallic copper, BaTiO3, and PbZrO3 (1).
Understanding the elemental composition and durability properties of PCB components can lead to the creation and implementation of improved recycling techniques for electronic waste. By deciphering the distinct properties of these components based on their chemical states, this research provides a roadmap for targeted recovery processes, ultimately contributing to sustainable electronic waste management.
To conclude, the researchers characterized the ground PCB powder using XRF and XRD. Their study contributes to our understanding of the makeup of PCB powder. The findings in this study can help lead to improving current environmentally conscious practices in electronic waste recycling. As a result, Ichikawa and his team helped contribute to the pursuit of establishing more green, sustainable practices.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence and has been edited to ensure accuracy and clarity. You can read more about our policy for using AI here.
(1) Ichikawa, S.; Hirokawa, Y.; Kurisaki, T.; Nakamura, T. Characterization of a printed-circuit board by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction analyses for metal recovery. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: At. Spectrosc. 2023, 210, 106819. DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2023.106819
Get essential updates on the latest spectroscopy technologies, regulatory standards, and best practices—subscribe today to Spectroscopy.
New Study Expands Nickel Autoionization Spectra to Advance Laser Isotope Separation Technologies
July 17th 2025Researchers at China’s National Key Laboratory have identified 170 nickel autoionization states using resonance ionization mass spectrometry, significantly advancing the spectral database critical for laser isotope separation and atomic spectroscopy.
AI-Powered Fusion Model Improves Detection of Microplastics in the Atmosphere
July 17th 2025Researchers from Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology have introduced a breakthrough AI-enhanced multimodal strategy for real-time detection of polyamide microplastics contaminated with heavy metals.
How Analytical Chemists Are Navigating DOGE-Driven Funding Cuts
July 14th 2025DOGE-related federal funding cuts have sharply reduced salaries, lab budgets, and graduate support in academia. Researchers view the politically driven shifts in priorities as part of recurring systemic issues in U.S. science funding during administrative transitions. The impact on Federal laboratories has varied, with some seeing immediate effects and others experiencing more gradual effects. In general, there is rising uncertainty over future appropriations. Sustainable recovery may require structural reforms, leaner administration, and stronger industry-academia collaboration. New commentary underscores similar challenges, noting scaled-back graduate admissions, spending freezes, and a pervasive sense of overwhelming stress among faculty, students, and staff. This article addresses these issues for the analytical chemistry community.
How Do We Improve Elemental Impurity Analysis in Pharmaceutical Quality Control?
May 16th 2025In this final part of our conversation with Harrington and Seibert, they discuss the main challenges that they encountered in their study and how we can improve elemental impurity analysis in pharmaceutical quality control.