Abstract

The increasing demand for metals in various industries has led to a surge in their production, resulting in a significant rise in metal-containing wastewater. The conventional methods for metal recovery from wastewater have often been associated with environmental concerns and inefficiencies. This article explores a novel approach, the Hybrid Cyanidation and Elevated Barrier Technique (HC-EBT), which shows promising potential for efficient metal recovery from industrial wastewaters. The Hybrid Cyanidation Technique integrates the proven efficiency of cyanidebased processes with modifications suitable for treating diverse metal-containing wastewaters. By forming soluble metal-cyanide complexes, metals are efficiently separated from the wastewater for subsequent recovery. The Elevated Barrier Technique involves the use of nanostructured materials as selective filters to capture metal-cyanide complexes while allowing clean water to pass through. This technique maximizes metal adsorption capacity, ensuring high recovery rates. The HC-EBT offers several advantages, including enhanced metal recovery, reduced environmental impact, versatility across industries, and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as the development of efficient nanostructured materials and process optimization for various wastewaters.