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The use of high-tech metals, such as noble metals, has been booming in past decades. They are widely utilized in variety of technologies ranging from electronics to anticancer treatments and catalysis. This increase in consumption has been overshadowed by the finite nature of metal supplies on earth, which has made it crucial to pay attention to the circular economy of metals. New sources of metals, as well as improved metal separation techniques, have to be developed to guarantee a stable supply of these critical metals in future.

Instead of its traditional use in manufacturing objects with mechanical or aesthetical properties, the Selective Laser Sintering 3D printing was utilized to fabricate metal scavenging filters with chemical functionality. The approach allowed for accurate control of the chemical properties of the prepared objects by altering the composition of the building material. This combined with the inherent ability of the 3D printing to alter the physical characteristics of the objects made it possible to adjust both chemical and physical properties of the printed objects. This allows the fabrication of large objects with predetermined chemical functionality.

3D printed metal scavenging filters are able to selectively separate noble metals

The studies focused especially on the preparation of different types of metal scavenging filters to separate metals from acid leached waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The WEEE is a promising source especially for noble metals such as gold, palladium, and platinum.
The dissertation presents the preparation of different types of metal filters which are able to selectively scavenge and separate the noble metals from a range of different metals present in WEEE. The metals can then be eluted from the 3D printed filters, after which the filters are reusable.

While the dissertation focuses on the separation of noble metals from WEEE, the approach could also be utilized for the preparation of filters with selectivity towards different metals. Additionally, similar approach can also be extended towards other applications such as catalysis, gas adsorption or even electrode preparation, where the customizable objects can be fabricated by utilizing Selective Laser Sintering 3D printing.

The study has been published in the JYU Dissertations series, number 175, the Ģ��ֱ��, Jyväskylä, 2019. ISBN 978-951-39-7994-2 (PDF) URN: ISBN:978-951-39-7994-2
ISSN 2489-9003ISSN 2489-9003; 175

Link to publication: 

Elmeri Lahtinen received his M.Sc. degree in inorganic and analytical chemistry at the Ģ��ֱ�� in 2017. He then continued towards doctoral studies in the research groups of Professors Matti Haukka, Ari Väisänen, and Kari Rissanen.

M.Sc Elmeri Lahtinen defends his dissertation “Chemically Functional 3D Printing: Selective Laser Sintering of Customizable Metal Scavengers” on Friday 20th of December at 12:00 in the lecture hall YlistöKem4 at the Department of Chemistry. The opponent is Professor Christian Ekberg from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden and custos is Professor Matti Haukka from Ģ��ֱ��. The doctoral dissertation is held in English.

For further information:
Elmeri Lahtinen, elmeri.e.o.lahtinen@jyu.fi, tel. +358 40 559 2666
Communication officer Tanja Heikkinen, tanja.s.heikkinen@jyu.fi, tel. +50 581 8351
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