An ion-exchange method for selective separation of palladium, platinum and rhodium from solutions obtained by leaching automotive catalytic converters

An ion-exchange method has been developed for the separation of palladium, platinum and rhodium from a solution that is highly acidic and contains a considerable amount of lead, aluminum, iron and cerium, obtained by leaching a used honeycomb type automotive catalytic converter. A column of Amberlite IRA-93 anion-exchange resin was found appropriate to recover platinum metals from the pregnant solution. Selective stripping of these metals from the resin was achieved by eluting rhodium first with 6.0M hydrochloric acid, then palladium with a 1% ammonia solution at ambient temperature, and platinum with 5% of the reagent at elevated temperatures. Optimum conditions for leaching these metals from the catalyst were 5.0M hydrochloric acid and 0.4M sodium chlorate at 70 degrees C. This method can be applied to both analytical as well as large scale operations. It is simple, economical, and relatively safe for human exposure and the environment.     

Extraction of palladium thiocyanate with polyurethane foam

Conditions for the extraction of the thiocyanate complex of palladium by polyether-type polyurethane foam are reported. Distribution ratios of more than 10(6) with a capacity of about 0.8 mole per kg of foam were obtained. The palladium could be rapidly recovered from the foam with high efficiency by use of ammonia solution. The efficiency of palladium extraction depends on how well the cation associated with the complex fits into the polyether segment of the polyurethane foam.     

STUDIES OF ADHESION OF METAL PARTICLES TO SILICA PARTICLES BASED ON ZETA POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS

The zeta-potentials of silica, copper, platinum and gold particles have been measured as a function of pH. The isoelectric points were found to be at pH 3.0, 5.8, 3.0 and 3.5, respectively. In the pH range 3.0 to 5.8 copper and silica particles are oppositely charged and accordingly the coating of silica with copper particles could be demonstrated. In the case of gold and platinum the sign of the charge is such that direct adhesion to silica particles cannot be expected and this was also demonstrated in the case of platinum.     

Extraction of osmium thiocyanate and its separation from ruthenium by polyurethane foam

A detailed investigation of the conditions for formation and extraction of the thiocyanate complex of osmium by polyether-type polyurethane foam is reported. The complex which formed in solution was extracted through the “cation-chelation” mechanism and distribution coefficients of more than 10⁴ were obtained. By using conditions which inhibit the formation of the osmium-thiocyanate complex, it was possible to leave 95% of osmium in the aqueous phase while extracting more than 95% of ruthenium into polyurethane foam.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arachidonoyl glycine,an abundant endogenous lipid,potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background  

Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB₂ receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB₁ or CB₂ receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this G_i/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration.