CMI researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Ames National Laboratory, and Iowa State University conducted the activity for this highlight
Innovation
Develop chelators capable of recognizing and leaching REEs from mineral feedstocks based on metal-ion size (large, L; medium, M; small, S).
Achievement
- Lixiviant 1 selectively leached L > S REEs from RE(OH)3 mining waste concentrate with SFLa/Yb = 114 and SFLa/Y = 146
- Lixiviant 2 selectively leached S > L REEs with SFYb/La = 601, SFY/La = 177
- Lixiviant 3 exhibited rare dual-size leaching selectivity for L & S over M REEs
Significance and Impact
- Leaching selectivity can be tuned by modifying lixiviant structure and thermodynamic affinity.
- Use of authentic industry samples establishes opportunities for practical application.
Hub Target Addressed
Rare Earth Elements - Developing processes to recover and separate REEs from traditional or unconventional sources.
