Platinum recycling going green via induced surface potential alteration enabling fast and efficient dissolution

Nejc Hodnik (), Claudio Baldizzone, George Polymeros, Simon Geiger, Jan-Philipp Grote, Serhiy Cherevko, Andrea Mingers, Aleksandar Zeradjanin and Karl J. J. Mayrhofer
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Nejc Hodnik: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Claudio Baldizzone: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
George Polymeros: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Simon Geiger: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Jan-Philipp Grote: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Serhiy Cherevko: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Andrea Mingers: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Aleksandar Zeradjanin: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Karl J. J. Mayrhofer: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract The recycling of precious metals, for example, platinum, is an essential aspect of sustainability for the modern industry and energy sectors. However, due to its resistance to corrosion, platinum-leaching techniques rely on high reagent consumption and hazardous processes, for example, boiling aqua regia; a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acid. Here we demonstrate that complete dissolution of metallic platinum can be achieved by induced surface potential alteration, an ‘electrode-less’ process utilizing alternatively oxidative and reductive gases. This concept for platinum recycling exploits the so-called transient dissolution mechanism, triggered by a repetitive change in platinum surface oxidation state, without using any external electric current or electrodes. The effective performance in non-toxic low-concentrated acid and at room temperature is a strong benefit of this approach, potentially rendering recycling of industrial catalysts, including but not limited to platinum-based systems, more sustainable.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13164

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