How Is Pure Rhodium Extracted from Rhodium Oxide Scrap?

Recycle Precious MetalsRecycle Refine RhodiumPlatinum Scrap
Written By Barry Lenson

We recently posted an article, “What Is Rhodium Oxide?” on this blog. If you missed it, we’d  urge you to read it now. Rhodium is a precious metal that should definitely be on your radar.


Today, let’s fast forward to the time when you have collected a quantity of rhodium oxide scrap. Then let’s fast forward a little more, to the time when we have tested your scrap and confirmed that it contains rhodium. If that’s where you find yourself today, how are we going to extract the rhodium your scrap contains in the modern facilities at Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners?  


Today, we would like to explain some of the basic steps that are often needed to extract the rhodium that is contained in rhodium oxide scrap. Please note that we are only giving you a general overview; because your rhodium oxide scrap could contain other metals and impurities, the process we describe below might be modified. 

A Basic Overview of the Process

The extraction of rhodium from rhodium oxide typically involves several chemical and metallurgical processes. Here's a general overview of how rhodium can be extracted from rhodium oxide:

  • Conversion to rhodium chloride - The starting point is typically rhodium oxide (Rh2O3). To extract rhodium, it is first converted into a more soluble rhodium compound. This is often done by reacting it with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form rhodium chloride (RhCl3). 

  • Purification - The rhodium chloride solution obtained from the previous step may contain impurities, including other metals. Purification is essential to separate rhodium from these impurities. Various chemical and separation techniques, such as solvent extraction and precipitation, may be used.

  • Reduction - After purification, the rhodium chloride solution is subjected to a reduction process to obtain metallic rhodium. The reduction is often achieved using a reducing agent, such as hydrogen gas (H2), at high temperatures. 

  • Smelting - The metallic rhodium obtained from the reduction step may contain traces of other metals. Smelting is a process that involves heating the metal to high temperatures to remove impurities. The rhodium is then typically melted and cast into a desired form, such as bars or pellets.

  • Further refining - Depending on the purity requirements, the extracted rhodium may undergo further refining processes, such as zone refining or electron beam melting, to achieve a high degree of purity. This is particularly important if the rhodium is intended for use in specialized applications, like in the electronics or jewelry industries.

It's important to note that the extraction and refining of rhodium are complex and require specialized equipment and expertise. The entire process is typically carried out by specialized precious metal refining companies or facilities with the necessary infrastructure and knowledge.


To Learn More about Testing and Processing Your Rhodium Oxide Scrap. Call our precious metal consultants at 800-426-2344 or email us at sales@specialtymetals.com. 

Barry Lenson
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