Abstract
The mesoporous NH2-MCM-41 adsorbent prepared by grafting aminopropyls on MCM-41 is selective towards gold and palladium adsorptions and can separate these precious metals from complex solutions containing other metal ions such as cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. Adsorption is rapid and the adsorbent’s capacity for gold is better or comparable to most carbonaceous adsorbents including activated carbons. Furthermore, NH2-MCM-41 can separate palladium from gold solution at pH1.0 with excellent selectivity and capacity. Thus, it is possible to design a two steps separation process for the separation of palladium and then gold from the complex solution. A simple acid wash was sufficient to recover the adsorbed palladium and gold as concentrated, high purity (i.e., > 95%) metal salt solutions and the regenerated adsorbent was reused without lost of performance.
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Dr. King Lun Yeung is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, U.S.A. in the area of surface science and catalysis. His current research focuses on the rational design and molecular-level engineering of functional nanoporous and nanostructured materials with chemical, environmental and bio-related applications.
Dr. Koon Fung LAM is a PhD graduate in Environmental Engineering from Prof. K L Yeung’s research group. His research interest is in the design and applications of nanoporous materials for selective adsorption.
Ms. Chi Mei Fong is a Bachelor degree graduate from the Department of Chemical Engineering at HKUST. She is a junior research assistant in Prof. K L Yeung’s research group working in selective adsorption of metal ions from industrial wastewater.
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Lam, K.F., Fong, C.M. & Yeung, K.L. Separation of precious metals using selective mesoporous adsorbents. Gold Bull 40, 192–198 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03215580
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03215580