review · Membranes
Spent membrane electrode assemblies from proton exchange membrane fuel cells contain valuable platinum group metals, but their disposal presents harmful environmental challenges. Two primary methods exist for recycling these materials: pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy. While both pathways aim to reclaim valuable elements, their overall effectiveness faces constraints due to high processing costs and the low concentrations of metals present in the discarded components. Pyrometallurgical approaches also release harmful gases during processing. Consequently, hydrometallurgical techniques offer a preferred alternative. Evaluating the health risks, benefits, and operational limitations of both options outlines the current hurdles and opportunities in reclaiming platinum group metals, providing guidance on future directions to establish more effective recycling strategies for end-of-life fuel cells.
Fuel cells are important clean energy devices, but disposing of them threatens the environment and wastes rare, costly platinum group metals. Clarifying the trade-offs between different extraction methods helps researchers and industries identify cleaner, more cost-effective ways to reclaim critical materials from end-of-life clean technologies.
This work informs recycling organisations and fuel cell manufacturers seeking to recover critical platinum group metals from spent membrane electrode assemblies. Because the underlying technologies are constrained by high processing costs, dilute metal concentrations, and hazardous emissions, the sector remains in an evaluative, early-stage research phase needing operational improvements before widespread commercial deployment.
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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.
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DOI: 10.3390/membranes15010013
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