E-wastes are generated at an alarming rate. These wastes are neither treated properly nor disposed of in an eco-friendly manner. Conventional precious metal recovery routes from e-waste include hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy. The extensive use of strong acids and alkalis and the dependence on high temperature and pressure signifies how detrimental these processes are. In addition, these metals are not recovered in their pure form but as compounds like oxides, carbonates, or sulfides. This demands additional purification processes.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) are an excellent reaction media with good metal and metal oxide dissolution properties. They are also widely used for nanoparticle synthesis, either as a reaction media, or as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are another category of solvents, which aids in simultaneous synthesis and separation of nanoparticles. They are polymer-polymer or a polymer-salt combination, which when mixed at specific concentrations form a two-phase system. The two phases are separated by a sharp interface with low interfacial tension. Once the nanoparticles are formed, they are dragged to the interface, from where these particles can be separated.
Here, we aim to form a DES-based ATPS to treat and recover metals from e-waste. DES would be used for the dissolution of metals from e-waste, while ATPS would be used for the synthesis of nanoparticles. These particles would be separated into usable form, thereby enabling value addition to the process. Fundamental mechanisms underlying nanoparticle trapping at the interface would also be studied. Finally, the possibility of using these nanoparticles as optical detectors or sensors would also be looked upon.