A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells
Recently, the recovery of metals extracted from the spent membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of fuel cells has attracted significant scientific attention due to its detrimental environmental impacts. Two major approaches, i.e., pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical, have been explored to recove...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/13 |
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| author | Sinikiwe A. Mvokwe Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji Mojeed A. Agoro Edson L. Meyer Nicholas Rono |
| author_facet | Sinikiwe A. Mvokwe Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji Mojeed A. Agoro Edson L. Meyer Nicholas Rono |
| author_sort | Sinikiwe A. Mvokwe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recently, the recovery of metals extracted from the spent membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of fuel cells has attracted significant scientific attention due to its detrimental environmental impacts. Two major approaches, i.e., pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical, have been explored to recover platinum group metals (PMGs) from used proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, the efficacy of these methods has been limited by the low concentrations of the metals and the high costs involved. Essentially, pyrometallurgical processes result in the evolution of harmful gases. Thus, the hydrometallurgical process is preferred as a suitable alternative. In this review, an overview of the application of pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods in the recovery of PGMs is presented. The health risks, benefits, and limitations of these processes are highlighted. Finally, the hurdles faced by, opportunities for, and future directions of these approaches are identified. It is envisaged that this review will shed light on the current status of processes for the recovery of spent PGMs and propel their advancement for effective recycling strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb42a93326a1409388f080876c75ae76 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb42a93326a1409388f080876c75ae762025-01-24T13:41:01ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-01-011511310.3390/membranes15010013A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel CellsSinikiwe A. Mvokwe0Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji1Mojeed A. Agoro2Edson L. Meyer3Nicholas Rono4Fort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South AfricaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South AfricaFort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South AfricaFort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South AfricaFort Hare Institute of Technology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South AfricaRecently, the recovery of metals extracted from the spent membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of fuel cells has attracted significant scientific attention due to its detrimental environmental impacts. Two major approaches, i.e., pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical, have been explored to recover platinum group metals (PMGs) from used proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). However, the efficacy of these methods has been limited by the low concentrations of the metals and the high costs involved. Essentially, pyrometallurgical processes result in the evolution of harmful gases. Thus, the hydrometallurgical process is preferred as a suitable alternative. In this review, an overview of the application of pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical methods in the recovery of PGMs is presented. The health risks, benefits, and limitations of these processes are highlighted. Finally, the hurdles faced by, opportunities for, and future directions of these approaches are identified. It is envisaged that this review will shed light on the current status of processes for the recovery of spent PGMs and propel their advancement for effective recycling strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/13platinum group metalsrecovery techniquesproton exchange membraneend-of-life fuel cells |
| spellingShingle | Sinikiwe A. Mvokwe Opeoluwa O. Oyedeji Mojeed A. Agoro Edson L. Meyer Nicholas Rono A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells Membranes platinum group metals recovery techniques proton exchange membrane end-of-life fuel cells |
| title | A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells |
| title_full | A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells |
| title_fullStr | A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells |
| title_short | A Critical Review of the Hydrometallurgy and Pyrometallurgical Recovery Processes of Platinum Group Metals from End-of-Life Fuel Cells |
| title_sort | critical review of the hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgical recovery processes of platinum group metals from end of life fuel cells |
| topic | platinum group metals recovery techniques proton exchange membrane end-of-life fuel cells |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/1/13 |
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