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Material and Technology Development for Biodegradable and Recyclable Printed Circuit Boards for Ecologically Friendly Electronics Production
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This thesis demonstrates that biodegradable printed circuit boards made from PLA, PHB, and fungal materials are technically feasible, with compostability tests confirming end-of-life degradation superior to conventional FR-4 boards. Replacing conventional plastic-based electronics with biodegradable alternatives directly reduces the e-waste contribution to global microplastic pollution.
Elektronisch afval is één van de snelst groeiende afvalstromen ter wereld. Printplaten, die in bijna alle elektronische apparaten voorkomen, dragen hier sterk aan bij. Ze worden meestal gemaakt van FR-4, een materiaal op basis van glasvezel en epoxy dat moeilijk te recycleren is en niet biologisch afbreekbaar. In dit proefschrift wordt onderzocht hoe printplaten gemaakt kunnen worden uit milieuvriendelijkere materialen, zoals biologisch afbreekbare kunststoffen (PLA en PHB) en schimmels. Er worden drie productiemethoden bestudeerd die aansluiten bij bestaande industriële processen: het omspuiten van printen met bioplastics, het lamineren van stijve bioplastische printplaten en het vervormen van deze materialen tot driedimensionale vormen. Daarbij wordt bijzondere aandacht besteed aan een goede hechting tussen het koper en het basismateriaal, wat essentieel is voor een betrouwbare werking. Tot slot wordt onderzocht wat er met deze printplaten gebeurt aan het einde van hun levensduur, onder andere via composteerproeven en een vergelijking met klassieke printplaten. De resultaten tonen aan dat duurzamere printplaten technisch haalbaar zijn en een belangrijke stap vormen richting milieuvriendelijkere elektronica.
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Researchers assessed the potential of the fungus Penicillium brevicompactum to simultaneously biodegrade plastics and leach metals from printed circuit board particles over 7 and 28 days, exploring integrated bioprocessing as an approach to the complex recycling challenges posed by electronic waste.
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This review explores the environmental and health challenges posed by electronic waste plastics, which contain complex mixtures of harmful chemicals. The study examines emerging biotechnological solutions such as microbial degradation and enzymatic breakdown as promising alternatives for recycling e-waste plastics, while noting that challenges related to scalability, toxicity, and economic viability remain to be addressed.
Synergistic EMI Shielding Efficiency of Biodegradable PLA/PBS-Based Composites Reinforced with Carbon Fibers and ZnO Nanoparticles
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Scientists created a biodegradable plastic material (made from plant-based plastics PLA and PBS) that can block electromagnetic radiation from electronics almost as well as conventional plastics, but without the lasting environmental and microplastic pollution problems, since it can break down through composting. By adding small amounts of carbon fiber and zinc oxide nanoparticles, they made the material highly effective at absorbing electromagnetic interference, offering a more eco-friendly option for shielding devices like phones, computers, and other electronics that surround us daily.
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