Removal and Separation of Noble Metal Ions Using Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction

Dear Colleagues,

The noble metals encompass gold, silver, and platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, and osmium). These metals possess remarkable characteristics, such as excellent conductivity and catalytic activity, making them crucial materials for advancing technology and maintaining a high quality of life. Their applications are extensive and integral to numerous alloys, catalysts, and medical services, which are the basic fabric of various industries.

These metals are highly resistant to oxidation and do not readily dissolve. Except for gold, most are typically found in nature as sulfides, and are extracted using strong acids or specialized lixiviants. Another source of these metals is the recycling industry, where end-of-life metals or alloys are reclaimed and reused. Following the extraction process, these metals need to be separated from other impurities, a task accomplished through various technologies, including electrowinning, chemical precipitation, and, more recently, ion exchange as well as solvent extraction. Recent developments in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents have opened new avenues for extracting and separating these metals using modern techniques.

This Special Issue presents the latest and most significant research efforts in ion exchange as well as solvent extraction for selectively recovering noble metals from their associated impurities. Additionally, it seeks to delve into the comprehensive analysis of the thermodynamic as well as kinetic aspects of ion exchange and solvent extraction processes. Review articles are invited but are expected to demonstrate salient guides to new and novel approaches in addition to a forward-looking direction for future investigations.

Prof. Dr. Kenneth N. Han
Prof. Dr. Virgínia Sampaio Teixeira Ciminelli
Guest Editors

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• ion exchange
• solvent extraction
• noble metals
• separation
• extraction
• gold
• silver
• platinum group metals

Title: Advances in Hydrometallurgical Gold Recovery through Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction
Authors: Jihye Kim; Rina Kim; Kenneth N. Han
Affiliation: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology