Fischesserite-Inspired Recyclable Se-Polyurethanes for Selective Gold Extraction

Faced with ever-severe gold mineral depletion, obtaining a sustainable gold resource by utilization of accumulating waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is of vital importance. Inspired by fischesserite, the first naturally occurring selenide of gold, a novel selenium-containing polyurethane (Se-polyurethane) is prepared. This material is able to extract aqueous gold in its elemental form with a selectivity 437 times over Cu2+ and 443 times over Ni2+ and a capacity of 802 mg gold g(-1). The extracted gold can be collected through a noncalcination post-treatment procedure and the Se-polyurethane can be recycled via a convenient regeneration procedure. Derived from this material, a high-throughput circulating aqueous gold mining system and a crosslinked Se-sponge are illustrated to mimic dynamic and static extraction processes, respectively for possible industrialization. These selenium-containing materials have the potential to be a useful tool in gold extraction to help prevent future resource depletion.