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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have created a sustainable method for recovering valuable metals from electronic waste (e-waste) using deep eutectic solvents (DES) derived from biodegradable natural substances. The team developed a green solvent combining thymol and capric acid to effectively dissolve copper, which was then extracted using trisodium citrate.

The process allows for the production of copper nanoparticles and various forms of copper, including copper oxide. The method was also successfully applied to recover iron from e-waste samples. IIT Madras is pursuing collaborations for pilot implementation and technology transfer. This innovation aims to reduce pollution and reliance on virgin metal mining, supporting India's sustainability goals.