Lanmodulin dimerization enhances HREE separation

Schematic of REE-induced dimerization of LanM-based tandem dimers.
Schematic of REE-induced dimerization of LanM-based tandem dimers.

CMI Highlight: Lanmodulin dimerization enhances HREE separation

CMI researchers at Penn State and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight.

Innovation 
Fused two LanM monomers through an optimized protein linker, enable on-column dimerization with enhance selectivity among HREEs.

Achievement

  • Demonstrated higher REE loading capacity and improved separation performance relative to monomeric LanM for binary Nd/Sm and mixed-HREE feeds.
  • The new Al-LanM dimer selectively separated Y, Dy, Gd, Sm, and Nd from an allanite-derived leachate with a 35% loading capacity, demonstrating its utility for complex, process-relevant feeds.

Significance and Impact

  • Establishes LanM dimerization as a new molecular design strategy for tuning intra-REE selectivity.
  • Next step: Engineer the dimer interface to further enhance HREE selectivity.

Hub Target Addressed 
Developing highly selective separation from complex sources.