Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have developed a breakthrough method to remove brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from plastic, making recycling safer and more sustainable. BFRs, found in products like laptops, keyboards, and smartphones, are toxic compounds that pose environmental and health risks when released during landfill disposal or recycling processes involving heat.
A Safer Recycling Process
Led by Associate Professor Lee Jong-Min from NTU’s School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biotechnology, the research team devised a technique using a solvent mixture of 1-propanol and heptane to target and dissolve BFRs in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)—a common plastic in electronic device casings. The process successfully removed BFRs while preserving the properties of the plastic, enabling the recovery of over 80% of the material.
The findings, published in the Chemical Engineering Journal under the title “Enhanced extraction of brominated flame retardants from e-waste plastics”, demonstrate a significant step forward in e-waste management and sustainable recycling.
NTU's Ongoing Innovations
This new method follows NTU's prior achievement of converting plastic scrap into scaffolding for tumor research in medical laboratories. The university continues to lead in groundbreaking innovations that tackle environmental challenges while advancing scientific applications.
