CMI researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Arizona State University conducted the research for this highlight.
Achievement
- First-principles calculations and XRD spectra reveal low-index facets dominate the crystal morphology, largely independent of the amount of adsorbed water.
- Demonstrated good alignment between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of surface energy for monazite particle.
Significance and Impact
- Provided the first prediction of an ideal lanthanum monazite particle via thermodynamic Wulff construction from 11 candidate facets.
- This foundational work enables the future research and design of novel collector ligands that drive monazite beneficiation processes, facilitating enhanced rare-earth production.
Hub Target Addressed
- CMI Grand Challenge: Increasing the Speed of Discovery and Integration.
- CMI Grand Challenge: Predictive Models for “Real” Materials.
