10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
[2B03] Development of selective solidification/recovery method of platinum group metals from waste solutions by using polymer crosslinking reactions
Keywords:platinum group metals, crosslinking polymer, adsorption, solidification
Separation of platinum group metals (PGMs) from high-level radioactive liquid wastes has become a crucial issue for ensuring the quality of the vitrification process. Various separation techniques based on solvent extraction and chromatography have been investigated, but generate environmental and safety risks such as production of secondary wastes and fire and explosion. Therefore, in this work, we aimed to develop a novel separation method that PGMs can directly recover from waste solutions as a solidified gel matrix due to the polymer crosslinking reactions. We synthesized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers containing N- and S-donor moieties, and examined that the crosslinking reactions of the synthesized polymers with PGMs in various solutions. The results showed that the PVA polymers could be gelified in aqueous solution containing Pd2+, Rh3+, and Ru3+, and recovered as PGMs-entrapping solid matrix. This method would be of great significance for the recycle of PGMs.