Proton Chelating Ligands Drive Improved Chemical Separations for Rhodium.

Current methods for the extraction of rhodium carry the highest carbon footprint and worst pollution metrics of all of the elements used in modern technological applications. Improving upon existing methods is made difficult by the limited understanding of the molecular-level chemistry occurring in extraction processes, particularly in the hydrometallurgical separation step. While many of the precious metals can be separated by solvent extraction, there currently exist no commercial extractants for Rh.

The first effective extractant for trivalent rhodium in hydrochloric acid solution.

The first effective extractant capable of the selective recovery of rhodium3+ from hydrochloric acid solution, N-n-hexyl-bis(N-methyl-N-n-octylethylamide)amine (HBMOEAA), has been developed.

Development of a novel polyimide hollow-fiber oxygenator.

We have developed a membrane oxygenator using a novel asymmetric polyimide hollow fiber. The hollow fibers are prepared using a dry/wet phase-inversion process. The gas transfer rates of O(2) and CO(2) through the hollow fibers are investigated in gas-gas and gas-liquid systems.