Abstract
Printed circuit boards-PCBs are particularly rich in copper and precious metals. Recoveries of metals in our work started with
tests for electrodeposition of Au, Ag and Cu from synthetic solutions on graphite and copper electrodes. Processes were studied
using cyclic voltammetry in ranges: (-1200)-500 mV and (-800)-(-200) mV and (-400)-1400 mV. Different supporting
electrolytes like: H2SO4 0.5M, HCl 0.1M and HNO3 0.1M were used. Electrodeposition of studied metals from real solutions was
followed by atomic absorption analyses. The deposit of metals was characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy
dispersive-X-ray analysis. Two techniques were applied for recovery the metals from PCBs: aqua regia dissolution (one step) and
dissolution in nitric acid and then in aqua regia (two steps). A new conceptual laboratory installation was constructed. Obtained
deposits have been contained more than 95% Au and Ag and 97% Cu.