Molecular Recognition TechnologyTM (MRT™) for Selective Metal Separation in Green E-Waste Processing

The rapid growth of electronic waste (e-waste) demands sustainable recovery solutions based on green chemistry. Conventional recycling relies on energy-intensive pyrometallurgical routes that cause emissions and material losses. This study applies Molecular Recognition Technology™ (MRT™) for selective energy-efficient recovery of base (Cu, Ni, Fe, Sn) and precious/platinum group metals (Ag, Pd, Pt) from a collector metal alloy. A hydrometallurgical process combining electrowinning, sequential acid leaching, and MRT™ separations achieved >99% metal purity with minimal waste generation. The results demonstrate MRT™ as a scalable green alternative for high-efficiency metal recovery from e-waste, supporting circular economy objectives.