A method for the recovery of rhodium from spent supported catalysts. In one embodiment,
a method for recovering rhodium from a host material includes roasting the host
material in air at a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of rhodium
to Rh2O3, leaching the host material in a solution with a
leaching constituent which is reactive with Rh2O3 to form
a first intermediate species, reacting the first intermediate species in a solution
with an acidifying constituent or complexing agent to form a second intermediate
species, and purifying the second intermediate species. Preferably, the roasting
temperature is approximately from 600 C. to 800 C. for 0.5 to 10 hours.
In some embodiments, the host material is ground to particles in the range of 0.1
to 10 mm.
