Abstract
Ion-exchange resins and activated carbons are used in waste refinement in the electronics industry to recover low concentrations of palladium (Pd) dissolved in diluted aqua regia (HCl:HNO3 = 3:1, v/v). However, these techniques are inefficient and have higher costs than benefits. Here, we showed that the lyophilized cells of the microalga Galdieria sulphuraria recovered Pd from 4 M acid-diluted aqua regia with < 135 mg L–1 Pd and 6 M acid solution containing < 50 mg L–1 Pd with greater efficiency than ion-exchange resins and activated carbons. X-ray absorption fine structure, photoemission spectroscopy, and electron microscopy revealed that Pd was adsorbed in the periphery of lyophilized cells by forming an inner-sphere complex with sulfur. Among other metals, G. sulphuraria could recover 97% of Pd from 5 M acid-containing aqua regia-based wastewater generated during the production of printed circuit boards.
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