A method for making a porous metal article of manufacture is provided. The method includes subjecting a saturated aqueous electrolytic solution wherein silver or copper is a donor in a container with two electrodes, where dendrite crystals of silver or copper or silver or copper nanowires are formed and collected. The collected dendrite crystals or nanowires are pressed and sintered, thereafter cooled to room temperature at room temperature and finally pressing the cooled geometric shape to form the porous silver metal article of manufacture. The collected dendrites crystals or nanowires also can be pressed in a carbon based mold or, alternatively, a non-carbon based mold and in vacuum, sintered, cooled to room temperature.

A method for making a porous metal article of manufacture is provided. The method includes subjecting a saturated aqueous electrolytic solution wherein silver or copper is a donor in a container with two electrodes, where dendrite crystals of silver or copper or silver or copper nanowires are formed and collected. The collected dendrite crystals or nanowires are pressed and sintered, thereafter cooled to room temperature at room temperature and finally pressing the cooled geometric shape to form the porous silver metal article of manufacture. The collected dendrites crystals or nanowires also can be pressed in a carbon based mold or, alternatively, a non-carbon based mold and in vacuum, sintered, cooled to room temperature.

A method for producing metallic silver by electro-deposition, including electrolyzing an electrolyte solution containing Ce(NO.sub.3).sub.3 in an anode zone and an electrolyte solution containing AgNO.sub.3 in a cathode zone by using an electrolytic cell with a specific diaphragm, wherein the electrolyte solution in the anode zone is not allowed to enter the cathode zone. After the electrolyzing is complete, the metallic silver with a high purity is obtained at the cathode, and a Ce.sup.4+-containing solution is obtained in the anode zone.

A method for producing metallic silver by electro-deposition, including electrolyzing an electrolyte solution containing Ce(NO.sub.3).sub.3 in an anode zone and an electrolyte solution containing AgNO.sub.3 in a cathode zone by using an electrolytic cell with a specific diaphragm, wherein the electrolyte solution in the anode zone is not allowed to enter the cathode zone. After the electrolyzing is complete, the metallic silver with a high purity is obtained at the cathode, and a Ce.sup.4+-containing solution is obtained in the anode zone.

Systems and methods for producing metal chloride M.sup.ICl.sub.x from metal M.sup.I without the use of HCl and/or Cl.sub.2 gases, including: a bath vessel holding conductive fluid; an anode disposed in the conductive fluid, the anode including metal M.sup.I; a cathode assembly disposed in the conductive fluid, the cathode assembly including a cathode vessel including porous and non-porous portions, the non-porous portion holding sacrificial metal chloride M.sup.IICl.sub.y substantially separate from metal chloride M.sup.ICl.sub.x, wherein the cathode assembly includes a center lead disposed within the cathode vessel operable for delivering charge to sacrificial metal chloride M.sup.IICl.sub.y; and a power supply coupling the anode and the cathode assembly, the power supply polarized to produce current flow in a direction that causes anodic dissolution of metal M.sup.I into the conductive fluid and deposition of metal M.sup.II within the cathode vessel. The systems and methods apply equally to producing metal halide M.sup.IX.sub.x.

Systems and methods for producing metal chloride M.sup.ICl.sub.x from metal M.sup.I without the use of HCl and/or Cl.sub.2 gases, including: a bath vessel holding conductive fluid; an anode disposed in the conductive fluid, the anode including metal M.sup.I; a cathode assembly disposed in the conductive fluid, the cathode assembly including a cathode vessel including porous and non-porous portions, the non-porous portion holding sacrificial metal chloride M.sup.IICl.sub.y substantially separate from metal chloride M.sup.ICl.sub.x, wherein the cathode assembly includes a center lead disposed within the cathode vessel operable for delivering charge to sacrificial metal chloride M.sup.IICl.sub.y; and a power supply coupling the anode and the cathode assembly, the power supply polarized to produce current flow in a direction that causes anodic dissolution of metal M.sup.I into the conductive fluid and deposition of metal M.sup.II within the cathode vessel. The systems and methods apply equally to producing metal halide M.sup.IX.sub.x.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.

The invention relates to a method of recovering Pt or Ag or Pt and Ag from a sulfate solution on an electrode. In particular, the invention concerns a method for recovering Pt or Ag or Pt and Ag from base metal bearing process solution, particularly from a hydrometallurgical sacrificial metal bearing solution containing Zn and/or Ni. In general, the method of the present invention can be used for recovery of precious metals, which are dissolvable in sulfuric acid, from sulfate media based solutions. In addition to Pt and Ag, especially Pd should be mentioned.

Deposited precious metal(s) can be recovered from the electrode or the deposition containing electrode can be used as such.

The invention relates to a method of recovering Pt or Ag or Pt and Ag from a sulfate solution on an electrode. In particular, the invention concerns a method for recovering Pt or Ag or Pt and Ag from base metal bearing process solution, particularly from a hydrometallurgical sacrificial metal bearing solution containing Zn and/or Ni. In general, the method of the present invention can be used for recovery of precious metals, which are dissolvable in sulfuric acid, from sulfate media based solutions. In addition to Pt and Ag, especially Pd should be mentioned.

Deposited precious metal(s) can be recovered from the electrode or the deposition containing electrode can be used as such.