Bypassing electrolysis: one-step calciothermic route from Nd2O3 to Nd2Fe14B

CMI researchers from the Ames National Laboratory conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation
Direct conversion of Nd₂O₃ into high performance Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnet material through a one-step calciothermic reduction.

Achievement
Produced a Nd₂Fe14B powder with at least 92% phase purity (by x-ray diffraction) and high magnetization (~85% theoretical).

Significance and Impact
One-step calciothermic procedure circumvents the currently employed, environmentally unfriendly neodymium metallization process through the direct production of Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnet powder from Nd₂O₃ and Fe, paving a pathway for domestic permanent magnet production.

Hub Target Addressed
Reducing the chemical, material, and energy intensity in permanent magnet materials processing and thereby increasing manufacturing efficiency.

two line graphs showing powder X-ray diffraction pattern (top) and hysteresis loop (bottom) of Nd2Fe14B powder produced by calciothermic reduction. — Powder X-ray diffraction pattern (top) and hysteresis loop (bottom) of Nd2Fe14B powder produced by calciothermic reduction.