Methods for the separation and/or purification of metals

A method for separating at least two metals from each other in a metal refining process, wherein the metals include at least one platinum group metal, the method comprising:

• injecting a feed solution comprising the metals in HCl into a column or flow pipe comprising a monolithic solid body having a plurality of channels, wherein the monolithic solid body is a single, continuous, bonded, solid body comprising the plurality of channels through which the feed solution can flow;
• and
• flowing the feed solution through the plurality of channels in the monolithic solid body to separate the metals,
• wherein the method is a solid phase extraction method in which at least one metal species in the feed solution is adsorbed onto a surface of the monolithic solid body within the channels in order to separate the metals as the feed solution flows through the plurality of channels in the monolithic solid body,
• wherein the surface of the monolithic solid body within the channels is functionalized to selectively adsorb one or more target metal containing species, and
• further comprising eluting the feed from the monolithic solid body in an elution cycle by flowing an eluent through the monolithic solid body, wherein the eluent is HCl,
• wherein the monolithic solid body is formed of an organic polymer material and the surface of the monolithic solid body within the channels is hydrophilic,
• wherein the monolithic solid body comprises one or more of:
• a methacrylate;
• a thioether functionalised methacrylate;
• a glycol;
• an acrylate;
• a polystyrene divinyl benzene;
• a cross linked co-polymer of glycol methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate;
• a co-polymer of oligo ethylene glycol, glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol di-methacrylate;
• a polystyrene divinyl benzene polymer with hydrophilic oligo glycols groups covalently attached thereto, and
• wherein the surface of the monolithic solid body within the channels comprises hydroxyl groups.