Thermal decomposition of electronic wastes: Mobile phone case and other parts

Pyrolysis and combustion runs at 850 °C in a horizontal laboratory furnace were carried out on different parts of a mobile phone (printed circuit board, mobile case and a mixture of both materials). The analyses of the carbon oxides, light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like PCBs are shown. Regarding semivolatile compounds, phenol, styrene, and its derivatives had the highest yields. In nearly all the runs the same PAHs were identified, naphthalene being the most common component obtained. Combustion of the printed circuit board produced the highest emission factor of PCDD/Fs, possibly due to the high copper content.

► Pyrolysis and combustion of different parts of mobile phones produce important quantities of CO and CO2.
► Naphthalene is the most abundant PAH obtained in the thermal treatment of mobile phones.
► Higher combustion temperature increases the chlorinated species evolved.