The uptake mechanism of palladium ions into Prussian-blue nanoparticles in a nitric acid solution toward application for the recycling of precious metals from electronic and nuclear wastes.

We have investigated the uptake mechanism of palladium (Pd: one of the most important elements in industry used as a catalyst) ions into Prussian-blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) in a nitric acid solution via high-resolution electron transmission microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared spectroscopy in combination with first principles calculations. Comparison of the structural and electronic properties of PBNPs between before and after a 24 h sorption test reveals that the Pd 2+ ions incorporated into PBNPs by the substitution of Fe 2+ ions of the PB framework while maintaining the crystal structure, and the substitution efficiency is estimated to be 87% per PB unit cell. This implies that 0.30 g of Pd can be recovered by using 1 g of PB having the chemical formula KFe(iii)[Fe(ii)(CN) 6 ]. The present finding suggests that PB (or its analogues) can be applied to recycle noble and rare metals from electronic and nuclear wastes.