Isomorphic substitution behavior of Pt on synthetic vernadite (δ-MnO2):A model reaction to elucidate the mechanism of Pt enrichment in marine ferromanganese crust

Marine ferromanganese crusts are considered to be the potential Pt deposits, and recent studies report a strong association between Pt and vernadite in these crusts. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the molecular processes involved in the enrichment of Pt by vernadite. This study investigates the adsorption behavior and molecular-scale immobilization mechanisms of Pt at water/vernadite interfaces through a combination of batch adsorption and desorption experiments, X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses, and atomic resolution chemical imaging. Our findings suggest that the Pt enrichment on vernadite is attributed to an isomorphic substitution of Mn by Pt. The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis reveals that Pt undergoes ligand exchange reactions during the enrichment process, and provides a comprehensive explanation of how Pt penetrates into the vernadite structure starting from the surface. Scanning transmission electron microscopy high-angle annular dark field (STEM-HAADF) observations visually confirm the infiltration of Pt atoms into the crystal structure of vernadite. Additionally, we demonstrate that the Pt enrichment in vernadite is a multi-stage chemical process. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis shows that Pt is initially rapidly adsorbed onto the surface of vernadite and then slowly oxidized. Our study provides a detailed understanding of the molecular-scale mechanisms involved in the adsorption of Pt onto vernadite and its subsequent structural incorporation. This knowledge is valuable for gaining insights into the Pt enrichment in marine ferromanganese crusts.