Environmentally Friendly Method Uses Selective Synthesized Sponges to Purify Rare-Earth Elements
Sustainable and Efficient REE Extraction
A team of researchers from Sandia National Laboratories has developed an environmentally friendly method to purify rare-earth elements (REEs) using selective synthesized sponges.
REEs are a group of 17 elements that are essential for many modern technologies, such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems.
However, mining and processing REEs can be harmful to the environment, as it often involves the use of strong acids and other toxic chemicals.
The new method, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, uses a novel type of sponge made from a composite of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polylactic acid (PLA).
The sponge is coated with a selective binding agent that attracts REE ions, allowing them to be removed from the ore without the use of harsh chemicals.
Advantages of the New Method
- Environmentally friendly
- Efficient
- Cost-effective
- Scalable
Potential applications
The new method could be used to extract REEs from a variety of sources, including abandoned mines, electronic waste, and industrial wastewater.
It could also be used to develop new REE-based technologies that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Conclusion
The development of this new method is a significant step towards the sustainable production of REEs.
The method is environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective, and it has the potential to be scaled up for commercial use.
This could help to reduce the environmental impact of REE mining and processing, and to make REEs more widely available for use in sustainable technologies.
References
- Li, D., Zhang, Y., Sun, X., et al. (2022). Environmentally friendly selective synthesized sponges for purification of rare-earth elements. Nature Sustainability, 5(9), 763-771.
- New method could help extract rare-earth elements more sustainably. Sandia National Laboratories. (2022, September 12).
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