Electrodeposition of ruthenium, rhodium and palladium from nitric acid and ionic liquid media: Recovery and surface morphology of the deposits

• Published in: Materials chemistry and physics Vol. 128; no. 1; pp. 141 - 150
• Main Authors: Jayakumar, M., Venkatesan, K.A., Sudha, R., Srinivasan, T.G., Vasudeva Rao, P.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.07.2011
• Subjects: Deposition; Electrochemical techniques; Electrodeposition; Electron microscopy; Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, Surfaces; Ionic liquids; Metals; Morphology; Nitric acid; Palladium; Platinum metals; Recovery; Rhodium; Room temperature ionic liquid; Surface morphology; Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, Surfaces; Surface morphology; Platinum metals; Metals; Electrodeposition; Electrochemical techniques; Room temperature ionic liquid; Electron microscopy
• ISSN: 0254-0584; 1879-3312
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2011.02.049

► Platinum group metals are man-made noble metals. ► Electrochemical recovery of fission platinoids. ► Recovery from nitric acid medium. ► Recovery from ionic liquid medium. ► Platinoids with exotic surface morphologies. Electrodeposition is a promising technique for the recovery of platinum group metals with unique surface morphologies. The electrodeposition of palladium, ruthenium and rhodium from aqueous nitric acid, and non-aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid medium was studied at stainless steel electrode. The surface morphology and elemental composition of the resultant deposit were probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis. Deposits with diverse surface morphologies and metal compositions were obtained by varying the composition of the electrolytic medium and applied potential. The results demonstrate the possibility of tailoring the morphologies of PGMs by controlling the composition and potential needed for electrodeposition.