Abstract: Disclosed is method for increasing the efficiency of a dirhodium catalyst. The method includes providing a dirhodium catalyst, providing an organic ester, and contacting the dirhodium catalyst and the organic ester under conditions effective to increase the efficiency of the dirhodium catalyst. The organic ester is selected such that it is not a substrate for catalysis by the dirhodium catalyst. Dirhodium catalyst compositions which include a dirhodium catalyst and an organic ester are also disclosed. In these compositions, the organic ester is not a substrate for catalysis by the dirhodium catalyst. The method and compositions can be used in a number of reactions, including insertion reactions (e.g., C—H insertions, Si—H insertions, O—H insertions, and N—H insertions) cyclopropanation reactions, annulations (e.g., [3+2] annulations and [3+4] annulations), and ?,?-diarylalkanoate syntheses.

Abstract: Selective extraction of one or more metal anions from an aqueous solution, by contacting the aqueous solution with an organic solution including a diquaternary amine, wherein the diquaternary amine has two diquaternary nitrogens spaced at a distance of less than about 10 ?, selectively binding the metal anions to the diquaternary amine, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, wherein the diquaternary amines having the selectively bound metal anions are concentrated in the organic solution. Alternatively, the diquaternary amines may be adsorbed or chemically bonded to a solid, and the metal anion-containing aqueous solution passed over the solid having the diquaternary amines. Palladium may be selectively extracted by contacting the acidic solution with an iodide and an organic solvent, allowing the palladium to bind to the iodide, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, concentrating the bound palladium ions in the organic solution.

Abstract: A substituted thiourea having the general formula characterized in that each of R1 and R2 independently comprises an alkyl, alkaryl or aryl group or a substituted derivative thereof, and contains at least one fluorine atom, and in that each of R3 and R4 is selected from the group which consists of H, alkyl, alkaryl and aryl and substituted derivatives thereof, including fluorine-containing derivatives. A method for producing the substituted thiourea is disclosed, and a method for extracting a noble metal such as gold from a matrix by treating the matrix with the substituted thiourea is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the invention, rhodium is recovered from hydroformylation products (feed material) by thermally processing the feed material in the presence of an adsorbent and, optionally, with the additional action of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of processing a mineral composition comprising a refractory material the method comprising milling the composition to a particle size of P80 of less than 25 microns and leaching said composition with a solution comprising lime and/or limestone in the presence of an oxygen containing gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the recovery of palladium from spent catalyst. The present invention particularly relates to a suitable method of catalyst recovery of precious metals from spent catalysts or inorganic waste and more specifically the process concerns with the recovery of palladium that is anchored on carbon and is used as catalyst for the hydrogenation of nitro aromatics or as a catalyst for many other organic transformations.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the selective recovery of aluminium, cobalt and platinum, and compounds thereof, from a catalyst composition including aluminium, cobalt and platinum, said proscess including the steps of treating the catalyst composition to selectively get ions of substantially only one of the aluminium. cobalt and platinum into solution, recovering, in separate process steps, the thus treated aluminium, cobalt, or platinum in salt or metal form, and repeating the treating and recovering steps for each of the aluminium, cobalt and platinum. The treating steps may include process steps such as leaching, washing, dissolving, stripping, and the like. The recovery steps may include filtration, precipitation, separation, flocculation, and the like.

Abstract: Selective extraction of a metal anion complex, such as a platinum-group metal halide, from an aqueous solution containing other metal anions or anion complexes, by contacting the solution with a diquaternary ammonium salt having two quaternary nitrogens spaced at a distance less than about 10 Å, selectively binding the metal anion complex to the diquaternary ammonium salt to form an organo-metallic complex, and separating the organo-metallic complex from the solution. Alternatively, the diquaternary ammonium salts may be adsorbed or chemically bonded to a substrate, and the metal anion complex-containing solution passed over the substrate. Preferably, the two quaternary nitrogens are spaced a distance apart that is complementary to the ionic diameter of the target metal anion complex.

Abstract: A method of separating and processing a catalyst carrier that is contained in a processing object that includes a catalyst carrier metal cover to which an exhaust gas pipe is still connected, magnetic carrier foil or a ceramic carrier, a surface-enlarging coating film provided on the magnetic carrier foil or the ceramic carrier, and the catalyst carrier containing precious metal. This method includes the steps of: crushing the catalyst carrier and the metal cover to which the exhaust gas pipe is still connected, using a first crusher of a shearing type; breaking the catalyst carrier containing precious metal from the metal cover, using an impact-type pulverizer; and separating the catalyst carrier containing precious metals from the exhaust gas pipe and the metal cover, using a separator.

Abstract: A composition of and method for forming activated carbon with magnetic properties for magnetic separation of the activated carbon from a liquid being treated is disclosed wherein a solution iron magnetic precursor is intimately mixed or absorbed into a porous carbon precursor or mixed with a solution or meltable carbon precursor to form an essentially homogeneous mixture or solution that when dried and pyrolized forms activated carbon particles with magnetic material evenly dispersed throughout the activated carbon material. The activated carbon particles may be of fine particle size, even powdered, and still retain magnetic properties sufficient for magnetic separation. In a particular aspect of the invention, a carbon precursor of soft wood is soaked in a solution of a ferric salt, dried, pyrolized and activated.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of rhodium from spent supported catalysts. In one embodiment, a method for recovering rhodium from a host material includes roasting the host material in air at a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of rhodium to Rh2O3, leaching the host material in a solution with a leaching constituent which is reactive with Rh2O3 to form a first intermediate species, reacting the first intermediate species in a solution with an acidifying constituent or complexing agent to form a second intermediate species, and purifying the second intermediate species. Preferably, the roasting temperature is approximately from 600° C. to 800° C. for 0.5 to 10 hours. In some embodiments, the host material is ground to particles in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm.

Abstract: Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents.

Abstract: Selective extraction of one or more metal anions from an aqueous solution, by contacting the aqueous solution with an organic solution including a diquaternary amine, wherein the diquaternary amine has two diquaternary nitrogens spaced at a distance of less than about 10 Å, selectively binding the metal anions to the diquaternary amine, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, wherein the diquaternary amines having the selectively bound metal anions are concentrated in the organic solution. Alternatively, the diquaternary amines may be adsorbed or chemically bonded to a solid, and the metal anion-containing aqueous solution passed over the solid having the diquaternary amines. Palladium may be selectively extracted by contacting the acidic solution with an iodide and an organic solvent, allowing the palladium to bind to the iodide, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, concentrating the bound palladium ions in the organic solution.

Abstract: Transition metals may be recovered from a salt-containing mixture containing at least one transition metal compound, salts, and organic compounds by separating from the salt-containing mixture a mixture of the transition metal compound and the salts. This mixture, together with any organic impurities, is introduced into a combustion zone, and the flue gas/salt mixture leaving the combustion zone is quenched with water. The combustion residue, containing the transition metal, is separated from the resulting quench solution, dried, and converted to fresh catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a provides a process for the recovery of precious metals from spent catalysts or adsorbent or inorganic waste, more specifically the process relates to recovery of Pd from silica, which is used as an adsorbent in column chromatography or as a catalyst support in many catalysts.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of platinum group metals and, more particularly, to the recovery of platinum group metals from various sources by roasting the source material with one or more of sulfuric acid, a sulfate and/or a bi-sulfate and with one or more halogen salt. The roasted product is put in contact with a leaching solution to dissolve at least a portion of the platinum group metals, which then may be separated and recovered.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for dissolving ruthenium deposits that are present on a surface and a process for decontaminating the internal circuits of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants using the said dissolution process. The process according to the invention comprises bringing the said surface into contact with an aqueous solution of perruthenate, with the said aqueous solution having a pH equal to or greater than 12, so that the ruthenium is oxidised.

Abstract: A process produces a transparent conductive layer forming coating liquid by combining a colloidal dispersion of fine silver particles, a reducing agent and at least one of an alkali metal aurate solution and/or an alkali metal platinate solution to obtain a colloidal dispersion of noble-metal-coated fine silver particles coated with gold and/or platinum. A cation exchanger is added to the combination. The colloidal dispersion of noble-metal-coated fine silver particles is obtained while any impurity ions formed as a result of reduction are removed through the cation exchanger. This process enables the raw-material concentration to be set at a higher concentration than the conventional process to enable production of the transparent conductive layer forming coating liquid at a low cost and a good productivity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating and recovering rhodium from reaction products of oxosynthesis, especially reaction products containing cobalt. The invention also relates to the reuse of rhodium as a catalyst for hydroformulation and to a catalyst for hydroformulation itself. The inventive method is characterized by the following: extraction of the organic solution with an aqueous phosphate solution or a phosphate solution, water washing, oxidative treatment of the organic phase, and extraction of the organic phase with an aqueous water-soluble arylphosphine solution.

Abstract: Laminates for electronic components are produced by applying a polyimide resin precursor solution containing a palladium compound on a polyimide substrate, drying the resulting coating to form a polyimide resin precursor layer, irradiating this layer with ultraviolet rays in the presence of a hydrogen donor to form nuclei for primer plating, forming a metal primer layer by electroless plating, and converting the polyimide resin precursor layer into a polyimide resin layer through imidation by heating either after or before the formation of a surface plating layer. The invention provides laminates for electronic components which are extremely improved in adhesion to metal layers without impairing the characteristics inherent in the substrate and are excellent in insulating properties, and polyimide resin precursor resin solution to be used in the production of the laminates.

Abstract: A catalyst active in ammonia synthesis with improved activity and a process for the recovery of useful components from the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of rhodium from spent supported catalysts. In one embodiment, a method for recovering rhodium from a host material includes roasting the host material in air at a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of rhodium to Rh2O3, leaching the host material in a solution with a leaching constituent which is reactive with Rh2O3 to form a first intermediate species, reacting the first intermediate species in a solution with an acidifying constituent or complexing agent to form a second intermediate species, and purifying the second intermediate species. Preferably, the roasting temperature is approximately from 600° C. to 800° C. for 0.5 to 10 hours. In some embodiments, the host material is ground to particles in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a low temperature 0-3 composite material, comprising the steps of providing a mixture, wherein the mixture comprises a liquid phase and a particulate phase and wherein the liquid phase comprises a reactive metal alkoxide; depositing the mixture on to a plastic substrate; and consolidating the mixture to provide a 0-3 composite material, wherein the 0-3 composite material is suitable for use as an electronic component.

Abstract: An electrically conducting composite is made by providing an aerogel structure of nonconducting material, exposing the aerogel structure to a mixture of RuO4 and a nonpolar solvent in an inert atmosphere, wherein the mixture is held initially at a first temperature that is below the temperature at which RuO4 decomposes into RuO2 in the nonpolar solvent and in the presence of the aerogel, and allowing the mixture to warm to a second temperature that is above the temperature at which RuO4 decomposes to RuO2 in the nonpolar solvent and in the presence of the aerogel, wherein the rate of warming is controlled so that as the mixture warms and the RuO4 begins to decompose into RuO2, the newly formed RuO2 is deposited throughout the aerogel structure as a three-dimensionally networked conductive deposit.

Abstract: Selective extraction of one or more metal anions from an aqueous solution, by contacting the aqueous solution with an organic solution including a diquaternary amine, wherein the diquaternary amine has two diquaternary nitrogens spaced at a distance of less than about 10 Å, selectively binding the metal anions to the diquaternary amine, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, wherein the diquaternary amines having the selectively bound metal anions are concentrated in the organic solution. Alternatively, the diquaternary amines may be adsorbed or chemically bonded to a solid, and the metal anion-containing aqueous solution passed over the solid having the diquaternary amines. Palladium may be selectively extracted by contacting the acidic solution with an iodide and an organic solvent, allowing the palladium to bind to the iodide, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, concentrating the bound palladium ions in the organic solution.

Abstract: A supercritical oxidation process carried out in water is capable of oxidising “organics” in precious metal organic compositions such as heterogeneous (Pt/C) or homogeneous precious metal catalysts and producing a precious metal oxide with few by-products and low losses of precious metal.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of rhodium from an organic reaction mixture containing rhodium/phosphite ligand complex, phosphite degradation products and high boiler organic compounds, wherein

Abstract: Selective extraction of one or more metal anions from an aqueous solution, by contacting the aqueous solution with an organic solution including a diquaternary amine, wherein the diquaternary amine has two diquaternary nitrogens spaced at a distance of less than about 10 Å, selectively binding the metal anions to the diquaternary amine, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, wherein the diquaternary amines having the selectively bound metal anions are concentrated in the organic solution. Alternatively, the diquaternary amines may be adsorbed or chemically bonded to a solid, and the metal anion-containing aqueous solution passed over the solid having the diquaternary amines. Palladium may be selectively extracted by contacting the acidic solution with an iodide and an organic solvent, allowing the palladium to bind to the iodide, and then separating the organic solution from the aqueous solution, concentrating the bound palladium ions in the organic solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery and refining of rhodium starting from a mixture containing rhodium and other transition metals, including those of the platinum Group, as well as metals of the main Groups, said process comprising the following passages: a) formation of an adduct between rhodium trichloride and a halide of a metal selected from metals of Groups IIA, IIIA, IVA, IVB, VB and VIB; b) carbonylation of the precipitated adduct, deriving from passage a) with the formation of rhodium halogen carbonyls and c) sublimation of the carbonylated product obtained in the previous passage. The main advantage of the above process consists in the production of an extremely pure product, with excellent yields.

Abstract: The invention refers to a selective metal leaching process from the materials that contain them, in which said metals come into contact with a solution comprising said process two or more in this order, of the following leaching steps: (a), (b) or (c) in the following order: (a) Treatment of the material with an aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen; (b) Treatment of the remaining material with an aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen and ozone; (c) Treatment of the remaining material with an aqueous solution in the presence of oxygen, ozone and a third reagent. And optionally a step of separation of phases is carried out after every one of the previously steps (a), (b) or (c). Said process is used for the recovery of metals from scrap, ores, concentrates and mixtures of these.

Abstract: A high-melting-point conductive oxide includes a mixture of a powdered Sr compound and Ru compound and/or Ru metal. The mixture is sintered at a primary temperature of 900° C. to 1300° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen to form a sintered body that is pulverized back to a powder. The powder is given a desired shape that is again sintered, this time at a secondary temperature of 1000° C. to 1500° C. higher than the primary temperature, again in an atmosphere containing oxygen. The high-melting point conductive oxide is used as a heating element for high-temperature use, an electrode material for high-temperature use, a material for high-temperature thermocouple use and a light-emitting material for high-temperature use.

Abstract: A hydrometallurgical treatment process for extracting platinum group metals from a flotation concentrate in which the invention revolves around obviating the matte smelting and granulating process. Instead the concentrate is submitted to pressure leaching, oxidative or reductive roasting and final recovery by means of ion exchange adsorption. Roasting is applied in order to convert the platinum group metals to a form that dissolves in chlorine/HCL and a chlorine/HCL leach that renders the platinum group metals in solution.

Abstract: The method of preparing the porous material incorporating ultrafine metal particles comprises the following steps: (1) preparing surface-protected ultrafine metal particles by reducing metal ions in the presence of molecules such as dodecanethiol molecules; (2) immersing a wet gel in a solution of the ultrafine metal particles, thus forming an ultrafine metal particle/wet gel composite in which the ultrafine metal particles are incorporated in the wet gel; and (3) drying the ultrafine metal particle/wet gel composite to form a porous body.

Abstract: A transparent electro-conductive structure comprising a transparent substrate and formed successively thereon a transparent electro-conductive layer and a transparent coat layer, which is used in, e.g., front panels of display devices such as CRTs. The transparent electro-conductive layer is composed chiefly of i) noble-metal-coated fine silver particles having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum, and ii) a binder matrix. A transparent electro-conductive layer forming coating fluid used in the production of this transparent conductive structure comprises a solvent and noble-metal-coated fine silver particles dispersed in the solvent and having an average particle diameter of from 1 nm to 100 nm, the fine silver particles being surface-coated with gold or platinum alone or a composite of gold and platinum.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of gold and the platinum group metals from sources that contain relatively low amounts of the metals is described. The process is environmentally acceptable and uses no expensive and potentially dangerous organic solvents.

Abstract: According to the invention, rhodium is recovered from hydroformylation products (feed material) by thermally processing the feed material in the presence of an adsorbent and, optionally, with the additional action of hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering precious metals from fine carbon bearing residual amounts of precious metals. The process involves the incineration of the carbon, followed by a method for separating the precious metals from carbon ash. Possible methods include cyanidation, gravity concentration, smelting, electrowinning and solvent extraction.

Abstract: The transparent conductive film of the present invention is formed to have a conductive layer containing at least ruthenium fine particles, gold fine particles and silver fine particles, the weight ratio of ruthenium fine particles and gold fine particles in the conductive layer being within the range of 40:60 to 99:1. As a result, this transparent conductive film and a display device having this transparent conductive film have superior electromagnetic wave shielding effects and anti-reflection effects, high chemical stability and superior visibility.

Abstract: A method for dissolving base metals and noble metals from ores having base metals and noble metals which comprises adding the ore to a solution of a non-acid oxidizing agent, then adding an aqueous solution of an acid forming halide and then adjusting the H+ concentration of the combined solutions to a minimum H+ concentration of 1 mol/l.

Abstract: Methods for recovery of naturally occurring nanoclusters are provided involving providing an aqueous nanocluster slurry and desorbing the nanoclusters from the surface of host substrate on which the nanoclusters are bound, followed by isolating the desorbed nanoclusters, and the isolated naturally occurring nanoclusters obtained thereby.

Abstract: Ozone is used to rapidly oxidize specific metallic elements. The insoluble oxidized compounds of the metals formed by the ozonation are then recovered for industrial use in a conventional sedimentation/filtration tank or pool. There is no requirement for pre-treating or neutralizing the acid mine discharge, even when iron is the dominant metal. If the pH of the untreated acid mine discharge is less than about 2.5, metals other than iron precipitated first. After that, the pH is raised and the iron is precipitated as ferric hydroxide. Aluminum is removed as hydrated aluminum compounds after removal of the iron prior to discharging the acid mine discharge to streams. Both the ozonation and neutralization processes are monitored and controlled using electrochemical sensors and feedback controllers.

Abstract: A method for selectively separating and recovering palladium from an aqueous palladium/tin catalyst solution. The method includes the steps of adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to a specified pH range thereby precipitating the tin, and producing a soluble form a palladium. The solution can be either pre-filtered or settled and subsequently processed through ion exchange resin in a conventional manner, or processed in an upflow direction through an at least partially fluidized bed of ion exchange resin to remove and concentrate the palladium for recovery.

Abstract: A method for recovering catalytic metals from compositions containing catalytic metal colloids. Compositions such as rinse solutions or dragout baths containing catalytic metal colloids are passed through a filter that entraps catalytic metal colloids from the solutions. The catalytic metal colloid has a high affinity for the filter in contrast to other components of the solutions. The other components of the solution pass through the filter concentrating the catalytic colloid on the filter. The filter containing the catalytic metal colloid is rinsed with an acid solution to remove the catalytic metal from the filter. The catalytic metal is collected in a suitable container or on an adsorbent such as a resin. The method is economically efficient and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A method for extracting osmium and ruthenium from noble metal concentrates, by: a) treatment of a noble metal concentrate containing osmium and ruthenium with nitric acid at a maximum temperature of about T=+30° C., b) heating of the resultant suspension/solution to a minimum temperature of about T=+85° C.; c) capturing the resultant osmium tetroxide in an absorption solution; d) treatment of the suspension/solution having a temperature of about T=+20° C. to 30° C. with hydroxide at a maximum reaction temperature of about T=+65° C.; and e) treatment of the alkaline suspension/solution from step d) with a substance for the oxidizing leaching of the ruthenium.

Abstract: Ruthenium is separated from noble metal solutions, by: a) heating a noble metal solution containing ruthenium to a temperature of T=+50° C. to T=+65° C., the H+ concentration and Cl− concentration are greater than 1 mol/l each; b) addition of chlorate, the resulting suspension/solution having a temperature of T=+50° C. to T=+65° C., heating the suspension solution to T=+80° C. to T=+90° C. and passing a carrier gas through the suspension/solution and capturing the resultant ruthenium tetroxide; c) addition of bromate at a pH of 1 to 3, the resultant suspension/solution having a temperature T=+60° C. to T=+95° C., and passing a carrier gas through the suspension solution and capturing the resultant ruthenium tetroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clathrate compound which can be used as a thermoelectric material, a hard material, or a semiconductor material. Silicon or carbon are formed into a clathrate lattice, and a clathrate compound is then formed in which specified doping atoms are encapsulated within the clathrate lattice, and a portion of the atoms of the clathrate lattice are substituted with specified substitution atoms. The clathrate lattice is, for example, a silicon clathrate 34 (Si34) mixed lattice of a Si20 cluster including a dodecahedron of Si atoms, and a Si28 cluster including a hexahedron of Si atoms. Suitable doping atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 4A, group 5A, group 6A, and group 8, and suitable substitution atoms are atoms from group 1A, group 2A, group 3A, group 1B, group 2B, group 3B, group 5A, group 6A, group 7A, group 5B, group 6B, group 7B, and group 8 of the periodic table.

Abstract: Precious metal values, e.g., platinum, palladium and rhodium, and, optionally, other valuable elements, e.g., one or more rare earths and cerium in particular, are recovered from a wide variety of compositions of matter and articles of manufacture, for example waste or spent catalysts such as vehicular postcombustion catalysts, by (i) optionally comminuting such composition/article into a finely divided state, (ii) intimately admixing the composition/article with sulfuric acid, (iii) calcining the resulting admixture at a temperature ranging from 150° to 450° C., and (iv) leaching the calcined admixture in an aqueous medium, whether simultaneously or separately, with H+ ions and chloride ions, whereby obtaining (1) a solid residue substantially depleted of such precious metal values and, optionally, of such other elements, and (2) at least one liquid solution comprising such precious metal values and, optionally, such other elements.

Abstract: Briefly stated, there is provided a method for reducing cyanide consumption in precious metals mining extraction processes involving a sulfur bearing ore body, comprising the steps of providing a precious metal bearing material having intermediate sulfur oxidation products, and exposing the material to sulfur dioxide gas, bisulfite ions or sulfite ions, in a manner to cause at least a portion of the intermediate sulfur oxidation products to be rendered unreactive with cyanide.

Abstract: A method for selectively separating and recovering palladium from an aqueous palladium/tin catalyst solution. The method includes the steps of adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution to a specified pH range thereby precipitating the tin, and producing a soluble form a palladium. The solution can be either pre-filtered or settled and subsequently processed through ion exchange resin in a conventional manner, or processed in an upflow direction through an at least partially fluidized bed of ion exchange resin to remove and concentrate the palladium for recovery.

Abstract: A method for dissolving noble metals out of segregated ores containing noble metals, comprising: reducing noble metal oxides present to the individual metals in finely divided form; oxidating the segregated ores and/or the noble metals with HCl and chlorate to yield a solution or suspension having a concentration of H+ ions of at least 1 mol/l, a concentration of Cl− ions of at least 1 mol/l and a temperature of at least 50° C.