Gallium and Arsenic Recovery from Waste Gallium Arsenide by Wet Refined Methods

Abstract:

This study was focused on the recovery of gallium arsenide (GaAs) from semiconductor fabrication sludge. Wet refined methods were applied to recover gallium (Ga) including acid leaching, purified isolation, electrolysis, and coagulation. The result showed that leaching Ga with nitric acid (HNO₃) was more efficient than with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). GaAs could be leached with 4 N HNO₃ to obtain 100% Ga⁺ and arsenic (As^—). The pH was adjusted with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Then, the solution was extracted by di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D₂EHPA) and was back extracted by H₂SO₄. In this way, Ga extraction efficiency was 80%. At the end of the process, electrolysis was applied to recover Ga. The resulting electrolysis efficiency with nickel-copper was only 56% and its purity was 92%. To further increase the recovery of Ga, the leaching solution was adjusted to alkaline solution and was then electrolyzed with platinum-stainless steel. In this way, recovery and purity could be as high as 90% and 94%, respectively. The removal of arsenic was 86% when the leaching solution was added with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (Fe₂(SO₄)₃‧_xH₂O) to form iron arsenate (AsFeO₄).

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 194-196)
• Pages: 2115-2118
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.194-196.2115
• Online since: February 2011
• Authors: Wei Ting Chen, Yung Chuan Chu, Jian Ming Wei, Lung Chang Tsai, Fang Chang Tsai, Chun Ping Lin, Chi Min Shu
• Keywords: Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phosphoric Acid, Electrolysis, Gallium Arsenide, Platinum-Stainless Steel, Wet Refined Method

References

[1] H.S. Lee and C.W. Nam: A study on the extraction of gallium from gallium arsenide scrap, Hydrometallurgy vol. 49 (1998), p.125–133.

DOI: 10.1016/s0304-386x(98)00016-4

[2] R.R. Moskalyk: Gallium: the backbone of the electronics industry, Miner. Eng. vol. 16 (2003), p.921–929.

[3] G. Bina, M. Niti, B.I. Zareena and S. Indu: Extraction and recovery of Ga (III) from waste material using Cyanex 923, Hydrometallurgy vol. 87 (2007), p.18–26.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2007.01.001

[4] O. Font, X. Querol, R. Juan, R. Casado, C.R. Ruiz, A.L. Soler, P. Coca and F.G. Pena: Recovery of gallium and vanadium from gasification fly ash, J. Hazard. Mater. vol. 139 (2007), p.413–423.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.02.041

[5] H.Y. Lee, S.G. Kim and J.K. Oh: Process for recovery of gallium from zine residues, Technical notes (1994).

[6] S.H. Son, J.G. Ahn, M.S. Lee, J.W. Ahn and E.C. Lee: A study on the extraction and separation of gallium and indium by D2EHPA-kerosene-span 80-H2SO4 liquid membrane process, J. Korean Inst. Met. Mater. vol. 31 (1993), p.123–131.

[7] H.S. Lee and C.W. Nam: A study on the extraction of gallium from gallium arsenide scrap, Hydrometallurgy vol. 49 (1998), p.125–133.

DOI: 10.1016/s0304-386x(98)00016-4

[8] X. Meng, S. Bang and G.P. Korfiatis: Effect of silicate, sulfate, and carbonate on arsenic removal by ferric chloride, Water Research vol. 34 (2000), p.1255–1261.

DOI: 10.1016/s0043-1354(99)00272-9