HONG KONG – Researchers here have reportedly shown that printed circuit boards can be ground into powder that adsorbs toxic heavy metals in water, according to published reports.

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology scientists uncovered the application while studying aluminosilicate material in PCBs. Working with a powder made from the nonmetallic fraction of PCBs, the researchers heated it and treated it with potassium hydroxide, then added the powder to solutions of copper, lead and zinc.

The result, the reports say, was that the metals adsorbed to the powder more efficiently than to three industrial adsorbents. The metals reportedly did not adsorb to the untreated powder.

The researchers are now making a 10kg batch of the adsorbent, and are discussing how to develop it on an industrial scale with an e-waste recycling firm there.