Scientists have created an adsorbent material for the removal of metals from yeast-based seawater. In this respect informs Osaka University.
Precious metals and rare earth elements play an important role in modern industry, especially in the manufacture of electronic devices and components. In this context, some experts suggest that the demand for them will increase and the supply is limited to the existing ore deposits. Seawater contains large amounts of gold, platinum, and other elements, but is extremely difficult to isolate from water.
Masayuki Azuma and colleagues have developed an adsorbent material that can selectively remove rare earth elements using environmentally friendly and inexpensive baker’s yeast and trimetaphosphate as a food additive. The research team conducted experiments with synthetic seawater and hot spring water to evaluate the effectiveness of this method in real-life conditions.
Experiments have confirmed that the material can selectively absorb rare earth elements even when using hot spring water with a target substance concentration of a few parts per billion, including high impurity content. Now the authors are working to adapt the technology for continuous extraction of metals on an industrial scale.
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