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Journal of Heavy Metal Research
Quarterly Publication

Determination of Heavy Metal and Platinum Group Concentrations in Spent Automotive Catalysts from Common Iranian Vehicles

https://doi.org/10.22034/jhmr.2025.554701.1004
Volume 1, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Winter 2026
Pages 41-49
Journal of Heavy Metal Research

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammad Ali Khan Karani 1
Dongfang Lei 2

1 Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Sirjan Branch, Iran

2 State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China

Abstract
This study provides the first systematic baseline assessment of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs: Pt, Pd, Rh) and associated toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr) in spent automotive catalytic converters (SACCs) from Iran's most prevalent vehicles. The unique composition of the Iranian fleet, dominated by a mix of older licensed European models and modern domestic and imported cars, creates a distinct SACC waste stream whose characteristics are largely undocumented. Samples from eight common models were systematically collected, prepared, and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The results reveal significant inter-model variability, directly linked to vehicle age and technology. A clear technological transition was observed, from older, Pt-dominant catalysts (e.g., Peugeot 405, with total PGMs up to 4,850 mg/kg) to newer, Pd-dominant, and lower-loading designs (e.g., Mazda 3, ~1,255 mg/kg). Critically, SACCs from older, high-volume models were found to be a particularly rich secondary PGM resource. Concurrently, significant concentrations of hazardous metals were quantified, with lead (Pb) reaching up to 750 mg/kg in older models—a legacy of past leaded gasoline use—and zinc (Zn) exceeding 2,000 mg/kg across all samples. These findings underscore the dual nature of SACCs in the Iranian context: a high-value "urban ore" for critical metals and a hazardous waste stream requiring stringent environmental management. This foundational dataset provides the crucial evidence base needed to develop a tailored national SACC recycling strategy, one that can harness the economic opportunity of PGM recovery while mitigating the environmental risks posed by toxic metal contaminants, thereby advancing circular economy principles in the region.

Keywords

Spent automotive catalyst
Heavy metals
Platinum group metals
Iran
Recycling
Urban mining
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 21 October 2025
  • Revise Date 05 November 2025
  • Accept Date 10 November 2025
  • Publish Date 01 February 2026

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