A Mature Tool to Address New Challenges: Harnessing Coordination Chemistry for The Sustainable Copper Recovery from Industrial and E-Waste in The Age of Energy Transition

Abstract

Copper is arguably one of the most strategic metals for the energy transition, particularly in the shift from fossil fuel-based engines to sustainable and renewable energy sources, with related and broader electrification efforts. While global copper mineral resources are far from depleted, their uneven distribution poses significant supply risks, especially in regions like Europe. In 2023, the European Union (EU) recognized this risk by designating copper as a strategic raw material (SRM), highlighting the need for innovative copper recovery processes. Copper recovery from industrial and electronic waste has been approached through various methods, primarily categorized into pyrometallurgy and solvo- and hydrometallurgy. The latter offers greater tunability and potential for sustainability, particularly when leveraging coordination chemistry. This review focuses on the most promising hydrometallurgical processes for copper recovery from industrial and e-waste (i. e., electronic waste), with a special emphasis on the role of coordination chemistry in supporting these methods. We posed particular focus on the adaptability and versatility of the coordination chemistry-based processes to the highly heterogenous composition of the copper-containing wastes.