Biosorption the recovery and analysis of rare earth elements and platinum group metals from real samples. A review

The increasing demand of rare earth elements and platinum group metals requires alternative approaches for their recycling from waste. Decades of fundamental laboratory research on biosorption area have emphasised that bio-based materials (biosorbents) display high and versatile potential of metal preconcentration. However, the transposition of this potential into successful practical strategies for the recovery, reuse and analysis of rare earth elements and platinum metals from real samples is still a very little addressed issue with many barriers waiting to be overcome. This review is divided into two parts. First, the biosorption of these metals from mono-component synthetic solutions is debated on the basis of biosorbents' performances in continuous fixed bed systems. Emphasis is made on the biomass influence on the competitive biosorption of metals from multi-component laboratory solutions. The analytical properties of the biosorbents for metals quantification from simulated solutions are also commented. Second, the recycling strategies point out the possibility of zero loss of value of some secondary sources of rare earth elements and platinum group metals using biosorbents. Then we present improved procedures for trace of rare earth elements and platinum group metals determination from spiked real samples.

Automated summary

This review highlights the potential of biosorbents in recycling rare earth elements and platinum group metals, as well as the challenges faced by current technologies. The discussion is divided into laboratory experiments and recycling strategies, exploring the adsorption performance of biosorbents under different conditions and their application in real samples.