Properties and perspective of using deep eutectic solvents for hydrometallurgy metal recovery

The rapid industrialization and energy transition, as well as social pressure is increasing the current needs for metals. This results in an increasing demand, so the exploitation of more natural resources. In this scenario, a current alternative to minimise the lack of resource is the recycling of industrial waste and by-products, such as electrical and electronic waste, lithium batteries, solar panels, blast furnace slag, etc. Many articles focus on recovery of metals by hydrometallurgical methods are published. Currently, one of the great scientific challenges is to minimize the environmental impact of these recovery methods. Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) are emerging as an environmentally friendly alternative for the recovery of metals from industrial waste and by-products due to their greener properties. This is entailing an increasing number of scientific publications in the area. This review article collects the publications and highlights the relevance of the use of these solvents in metal recovery from industrial waste and by-products by hydrometallurgical methods, showing the main disadvantages of its use in the area. As well as, the possibility to adjust their physico-chemical properties according to their application.