Rare earth materials from wastewater. Free Technical Library News

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Rare earth materials from wastewater

11.11.2013

Rare earth elements (REEs) are needed in many modern devices, such as hybrid car batteries and flat-screen TVs. These elements, as the name implies, are in great short supply, but scientists report the development of a new method that will make it possible to obtain rare earth elements from wastewater. The process, according to the authors of the project, is beneficial from both economic and environmental points of view.

Zhang Lin and colleagues note that rare earth materials such as terbium (a soft, silvery metal that can be cut with a knife) are used in manufacturing as supermagnets, catalysts, or superconductors. Terbium is indispensable in the production of cars, televisions, portable equipment and much more. It is assumed that the demand for this metal will only grow, but according to the calculations of the current reserves, it will last for about 30 years, which makes specialists seriously think about alternative methods for extracting rare earth elements.

Scientists have already tried to isolate rare earth elements from wastewater, but so far these attempts have been too expensive and impractical. The main problem is that these elements are usually found in water at very low concentrations. However, it is wastewater that is still considered a source for obtaining the most important materials for production.

A team of researchers led by Zhang Lin knew that nanostructured magnesium hydroxide was highly effective at removing certain metals and dyes from wastewater. Therefore, scientists decided to understand how this compound works, and whether it will effectively remove rare earth elements dissolved in water.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers produced inexpensive nanostructured magnesium hydroxide particles shaped like flowers (when viewed through a powerful microscope). Experience has shown that this nanomaterial captured more than 85% of rare earth materials dissolved in wastewater.

Recycling rare earth elements from wastewater not only saves the Earth's rare resources and protects the environment, but also brings significant economic benefits, the authors of the project say. In their opinion, a new method for extracting rare earth materials from water will have a huge potential in production.

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