Reduction of platinum (IV) ions to elemental platinum nanoparticles by anaerobic sludge

Alvaro Simon-Pascual, Reyes Sierra-Alvarez, Adriana Ramos-Ruiz, Jim A. Field

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The future supply of platinum group metals (PGM) is at risk because of their scarcity combined with a high demand. Thus recovery of platinum (Pt) from waste is an option worthy of study to help alleviate future shortages. This research explored the microbial reduction of platinum (Pt). The ability of anaerobic granular sludge to reduce Pt(IV) ions under different physiological conditions was studied. Results: X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses demonstrated the capacity of the microbial mixed culture to reduce Pt(IV) to Pt(0) nanoparticles, which were deposited on the cell-surface and in the periplasmic space. Ethanol supported the biologically catalyzed Pt(IV) reduction, meanwhile other electron donors; hydrogen (H2) and formate, promoted the chemical reduction of Pt(IV) with some additional biological stimulation in the case of H2. A hypothesis is proposed in which H2 formed from the acetogenesis of ethanol is implicated in subsequent abiotic reduction of Pt(IV) indicating an integrated bio-chemical process. Endogenous controls also resulted in slow Pt(IV) removal from aqueous solution. Selected redox mediators, exemplified by riboflavin, enhanced the Pt(IV) reduction rate. Conclusion: This study reported for the first time the ability of an anaerobic granular sludge to reduce Pt(IV) to elemental Pt(0) nanoparticles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1611-1617
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology
Volume93
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2018

Keywords

  • anaerobic
  • bioprocess
  • environmental remediation
  • metals
  • recovery
  • sludge

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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