Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is becoming a global concern owing to its immense quantity, hazardous character and the potential loss of valuable metals. The many processes involved in e-waste recycling stem from a mixture of physicochemical reactions, and understanding the principles of these reactions can lead to more efficient recycling methods. In this Review, we discuss the principles behind photochemistry, thermochemistry, mechanochemistry, electrochemistry and sonochemistry for metal recovery, polymer decomposition and pollutant elimination from e-waste. We also discuss how these processes induce or improve reaction rates, selectivity and controllability of e-waste recycling based on thermodynamics and kinetics, free radicals, chemical bond energy, electrical potential regulation and more. Lastly, key factors, limitations and suggestions for improvements of these physicochemical reactions for e-waste recycling are highlighted, wherein we also indicate possible research directions for the future.

电子废物（e-waste）回收因其数量巨大、危险性和有价值金属的潜在损失而成为全球关注的问题。电子废物回收涉及的许多过程都源于物理化学反应的混合，了解这些反应的原理可以带来更有效的回收方法。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了电子废物中金属回收、聚合物分解和污染物消除的光化学、热化学、机械化学、电化学和声化学背后的原理。我们还讨论了这些过程如何基于热力学和动力学、自由基、化学键能、电势调节等来诱导或提高电子废物回收的反应速率、选择性和可控性。最后，强调了电子废物回收的这些物理化学反应的关键因素、局限性和改进建议，其中我们还指出了未来可能的研究方向。