Soundwave recycling technology transforms “chemicals forever” into renewable resources

A new technique that uses sound waves to separate recycling materials could help prevent potentially harmful chemical lessee in the environment.

Researchers at the University of Leicester have reached an important step fuel cell Recycling, progression techniques to effectively separate precious catalyst materials and river polymer membranes (PFAS) from the coated catalyst membranes (CCMS). Articles are published in RSC sustainability And Ultrasonic soundochemistry.

This development deals with critical environmental challenges posed by PFAs – often called “chemicals forever” – which are known to contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications. THE Royal Society of Chemistry urged government intervention to reduce PFAS levels in British water supplies.

Fuel batteries and water electrolysis, essential components of energy systems powered by hydrogen, propulsion of cars, trains and buses, depend on the CCMS containing precious platinum metals. However, the strong adhesion between the catalyst layers and the PFAS membranes made recycling difficult.

Leicester researchers have developed an evolving method using organic solvent soaking and water ultrasonication to effectively separate these materials, revolutionizing the recycling process.

Dr. Jake Yang from the University of Leicester’s chemistry school said: “This method is simple and scalable. We can now separate the PFAS membranes from precious metals Without hard chemicals – revolutionizing the way we recycle fuel batteries.

“Fuel batteries have been announced for a long time because breakthrough technology for clean energy, but the high cost of metals of the platinum group was considered a limitation. circular economy In these metals, this revolutionary technology of reality will bring together. “”

Based on this success, a follow -up study introduced a continuous dilapidation process, using a tailor -made blade soundtrade which uses high frequency ultrasounds to divide membranes to accelerate recycling. The process creates bubbles that collapse when they are subject to high pressureThis means that the precious catalysts can be separated in seconds at room temperature. The innovative process is both sustainable and economically viable, paving the way for generalized adoption.

This research was carried out in collaboration with Johnson Matthey, a world leader in sustainable technologies. Partnerships of the Industry Academy as it highlight the importance of collective efforts to stimulate technological progress.

Ross Gordon, principal researcher at Johnson Matthey, said: “The development of high intensity ultrasound to separate the membranes loaded with catalysts is a change of game in the way we address the recycling of fuel cells. In Johnson Matthey, we are proud to collaborate with pioneer solutions that accelerate the adoption of hydrogen energy while doing pioneer and economic solutions.”

While the demand for fuel cells continues to grow, this breakthrough contributes to the circular economy by allowing effective recycling of the essentials clean energy Components. Researchers’ efforts support a greener and more affordable future for fuel cell technology while solving pressing environmental challenges.