Biological separation of REE using an immobilized protein

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University conducted the research for this highlight

graphs show Lanmodulin enables high-purity separation of Nd/Dy. A solution comprising a 5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd (pH 3) was subjected to two coupled adsorption/desorption cycles. The first cycle (left panel) generated a high-purity Nd solution (99.9%) and an upgraded Dy (44% Dy/ 56% Nd) solution. The upgraded Dy solution was used as a feed solution in a second adsorption/desorption cycle (right panel) to generate high-purity Dy and Nd fractions. The duration of each pH step is depicted by the dark gray dashed
Lanmodulin enables high-purity separation of Nd/Dy. A solution comprising a 5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd (pH 3) was subjected to two coupled adsorption/desorption cycles. The first cycle (left panel) generated a high-purity Nd solution (99.9%) and an upgraded Dy (44% Dy/ 56% Nd) solution. The upgraded Dy solution was used as a feed solution in a second adsorption/desorption cycle (right panel) to generate high-purity Dy and Nd fractions. The duration of each pH step is depicted by the dark gray dashed.

Innovation
Developed a biological approach for Nd/Dy separation. 

Achievement
5:95 mixture of Dy:Nd separated into high purity Dy (99.2%) and Nd (99.9%) fractions using two column steps with immobilized lanmodulin protein.

Significance and Impact

  • All-aqueous method for tandem extraction and separation of rare earth elements (REE) critical to clean energy technologies.
  • High REE selectivity of lanmodulin offers potential to unlock low-grade unconventional REE sources.
  • Approach will be extended to E-waste feedstock and coupled with bioleaching for sustainable process development.

Hub Target Addressed 
Sustainable method for REE recycling from end-of-life consumer products.

Dong, Z., Mattocks, J.A., Deblonde, G., Dehong, H., Jiao, Y., Cotruvo, J.A.*, and Park, D.M.* Bridging Hydrometallurgy and Biochemistry: A Protein-based Process for Recovery and Separation of Rare Earth Elements, ACS Central Science (In Press).