Recycling of catalyst coated membrane components

Abstract

A method for recycling a catalyst coated membrane comprising an ionomer membrane coated on either side by catalyst layers. The method comprises soaking the catalyst coated membrane in a first solvent such as ethanol, transferring the catalyst coated membrane from the first solvent into a second solvent, such as a mixture of water and propanol, which is different to the first solvent and subjecting the catalyst coated membrane in the second solvent to an ultrasonic treatment to delaminate the catalyst layers from the ionomer membrane. The method provides a process which can completely delaminate the catalyst layers while safely avoiding any hazardous gas released and results in delaminated components in a desired (e.g. aqueous) solvent after delamination ready for further processing. [Figure 7]