Efficient extraction and separation of palladium (Pd) and ruthenium (Ru) from simulated HLLW by photoreduction

•Photochemical method was proposed to extract and separate PGMs from simulated HLLW.•The effect of various parameters on the photoreduction of Pd and Ru was investigated.•The efficient photochemical separation of Pd/Nd, Ru/Nd and Pd/Ru was realized.•The efficient photochemical separation of Pd/Ru/Nd was realized via two routes.