A new technique that uses soundwaves to separate materials for recycling could help prevent potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
A new technique that uses soundwaves to separate materials for recycling could help prevent potentially harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have achieved a major milestone in fuel cell recycling, advancing techniques to efficiently separate valuable catalyst materials and fluorinated polymer membranes (PFAS) from catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs).
This development addresses critical environmental challenges posed by PFAS—often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’—which are known to contaminate drinking water and have serious health implications. The Royal Society of Chemistry has urged government intervention to reduce PFAS levels in UK water supplies.
Fuel cells and water electrolysers, essential components of hydrogen-powered energy systems, powering cars, trains and buses, depend on CCMs containing precious platinum group metals. However, the strong adhesion between catalyst layers and PFAS membranes has made recycling difficult. Researchers at Leicester have developed a scalable method using organic solvent soaking and water ultrasonication to effectively separate these materials, revolutionising the recycling process.
Read more at University of Leicester
Image: High-power ultrasound rapidly separates valuable catalyst from underlying polymer membranes in under a minute. (Credit: University of Leicester)
