Fabrication of superporous cryogels with amidoxime chelation sites and customizable 3D printing for targeted palladium recovery from secondary resources

Recovering precious metals such as palladium from secondary resources faces significant challenges, including the scarcity of efficient adsorbents capable of withstanding harsh acidic conditions and needing materials with high selectivity, mechanical stability, and scalability. In response to these challenges, we developed highly porous cryogels functionalized with sulfonic and amidoxime groups, achieving a unique combination of hydrophilicity, flexibility, and selectivity for Pd(II) ions. Using a redox cryopolymerization method, these cryogels attained a gel fraction of 100 % and a maximum adsorption capacity of 425.3 mg g −1 at 318 K, as the Langmuir isotherm model fitted. This work also combined 3D printing technology with cryopolymerization to create a highly selective, high mechanical strength and customizable shape adsorption material, overcoming traditional adsorption materials' limitations in acid conditions. This innovative combination fills the gap in selective palladium recovery in customizable super macroporous materials, offering a sustainable solution for precious metal recovery and setting a foundation for broader applications in adsorption separation.