Abstract
A novel selective chlorination process using cupric chloride (CuCl2) was investigated to separate and recover the palladium (Pd) metal from Pd alloy (40 mass% Pd – 30 mass% Ag – 30 mass% Cu) scrap. The alloy scrap was reacted with CuCl2 – potassium chloride (KCl) molten salt at 573 – 673 K for 3 – 24 h under an argon (Ar) atmosphere. KCl was added to lower the melting temperature of the CuCl2. During the selective chlorination process, the Cu in the scrap reacted with CuCl2 and was chlorinated to CuCl, while Pd and Ag remained in the form of metal powders. Experimental results indicated that the recovery efficiencies of Pd and Ag were 98.5% and 98.7%, respectively, under defined conditions. The proposed method yielded a mixture of Pd and Ag powders and is a viable approach for their production through selective Cu removal from Pd alloy scrap.