Advancements in sustainable platinum and palladium recovery: unveiling superior adsorption efficiency and selectivity with a novel silica-anchored acylthiourea adsorbent
Malehlogonolo R. R. Mphahlele, Alseno K. Mosai, Hlanganani Tutu, Izak A. Kotzé
Abstract
concentration. In contrast, under the same conditions, BTMSPA-SG recovered <56% and <89% of Pt and Pd, respectively. The experimental data for both adsorbents were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models for concentration and pseudo-first and second-order models for contact time. The Langmuir model best described the adsorption data, indicating homogenous monolayer adsorption of Pt and Pd. The kinetic models suggested a pseudo-second-order process, implying chemisorption. Furthermore, in the presence of competing ions and other PGMs, DTMSP-BT-SG exhibited significantly higher recovery rates for Pt and Pd compared to BTMSPA-SG. Overall, DTMSP-BT-SG emerged as a more selective and efficient adsorbent across varied parameters. Its exceptional adsorption efficiency, coupled with cost-effectiveness, positions it as a promising and competitive recovery agent for extracting PGMs from mining wastewaters.