Recovers Indium from LCD Panels
Aug 26, 2008 19:38
Yukiko Kanoh, Nikkei Electronics
Tohoku University's research group and DaitokuCorpdevelopedatechnique to recover indium directly from usedLCDpanelsbyreducing, withoutheating,indiumoxide(In2O3) extracted from thepanels.
The research group was led by Junya Kano, anassociateprofessoratthe Institute of Multidisciplinary ResearchforAdvancedMaterials ofTohoku University. The method is basedonthemechanochemical reactionby grinding operation.
In the recoveryprocedure,In2O3extractedfrom used LCD panels,etc, withthe use of chemicals suchashydrochloric acid, is ground ina ballmill together withsilicon(Si) such as Si waste wafers toobtainindium powder.
Next, after adding pure water to the powdertoremoveanyby-products, it is ground again in the mill,followedbyfiltrationand drying. Then, high-purityindiumfine powdercan be recoveredby using a high-performancenon-ferrousmetalseparator, accordingto the company.
Daitoku has already filed a patent application forthetechniqueasa rare metal recovery method. Seeing itswaycleartocommercialization, the company plans topromotetheinstallationand operation of the equipment for use inthebusiness.
In July 2007, the research group developed amethodtodirectlyrecover indium by reducing indium tin oxide(ITO)containedinwaste without heating.
At present, Indium isused for transparent conductive films inLCDand PDP TVs.
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