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Liang J, Xiao K, Wang X, Hou T, Zeng C, Gao X, Wang B, Zhong C. Revisiting Solar Energy Flow in Nanomaterial-Microorganism Hybrid Systems. Chem Rev 2024. [PMID: 38900019 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Nanomaterial-microorganism hybrid systems (NMHSs), integrating semiconductor nanomaterials with microorganisms, present a promising platform for broadband solar energy harvesting, high-efficiency carbon reduction, and sustainable chemical production. While studies underscore its potential in diverse solar-to-chemical energy conversions, prevailing NMHSs grapple with suboptimal energy conversion efficiency. Such limitations stem predominantly from an insufficient systematic exploration of the mechanisms dictating solar energy flow. This review provides a systematic overview of the notable advancements in this nascent field, with a particular focus on the discussion of three pivotal steps of energy flow: solar energy capture, cross-membrane energy transport, and energy conversion into chemicals. While key challenges faced in each stage are independently identified and discussed, viable solutions are correspondingly postulated. In view of the interplay of the three steps in affecting the overall efficiency of solar-to-chemical energy conversion, subsequent discussions thus take an integrative and systematic viewpoint to comprehend, analyze and improve the solar energy flow in the current NMHSs of different configurations, and highlighting the contemporary techniques that can be employed to investigate various aspects of energy flow within NMHSs. Finally, a concluding section summarizes opportunities for future research, providing a roadmap for the continued development and optimization of NMHSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Kemeng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Tianfeng Hou
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Cuiping Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Center for Materials Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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2
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Tuncay G, Yuksekdag A, Mutlu BK, Koyuncu I. A Review of Greener Approaches for Rare Earth Elements Recovery from Mineral Wastes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024:124379. [PMID: 38885830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The use of rare earth elements (REE) in many various fields, including high-tech products, increases the demand for these materials day by day. The production of REE from primary sources has expanded in response to increasing demand; however, due to its limited, a more sustainable supply is also started to offer for the REE demand by using secondary sources. The most commonly used metallurgical method for REE recovery is hydrometallurgical processes. However, it has some disadvantages, like pyrometallurgical methods. In the review, studies of the environmental impacts of REE production from primary sources and life cycle assessments of products containing REE were investigated. According to the results, it has been seen that those studies in the literature in which hydrometallurgical methods have changed to more environmentally friendly approaches have begun to increase. In this review, mine wastes, which are secondary sources, were defined, conventional methods of recovery of rare earth elements were discussed, greener approaches to the recovery of REE from these sources were comprehensively examined and studies in the literature were evaluated. Furthermore, it was stated that there are limited studies on green approaches and REE recovery from mineral wastes and that this field is developing with an emphasis on the current outlook and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Tuncay
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) - Rare Earth Elements Research Institute (NATEN), Kahramankazan, 06980, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayse Yuksekdag
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Borte Kose Mutlu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ismail Koyuncu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
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3
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Hussain Z, Dwivedi D, Kwon I. Recovery of rare earth elements from low-grade coal fly ash using a recyclable protein biosorbent. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1385845. [PMID: 38817924 PMCID: PMC11137179 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1385845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs), including those in the lanthanide series, are crucial components essential for clean energy transitions, but they originate from geographically limited regions. Exploiting new and diverse supply sources is vital to facilitating a clean energy future. Hence, we explored the recovery of REEs from coal fly ash (FA), a complex, low-grade industrial feedstock that is currently underutilized (leachate concentrations of REEs in FA are < 0.003 mol%). Herein, we demonstrated the thermo-responsive genetically encoded REE-selective elastin-like polypeptides (RELPs) as a recyclable bioengineered protein adsorbent for the selective retrieval of REEs from coal fly ash over multiple cycles. The results showed that RELPs could be efficiently separated using temperature cycling and reused with high stability, as they retained ∼95% of their initial REE binding capacity even after four cycles. Moreover, RELPs selectively recovered high-purity REEs from the simulated solution containing one representative REE in the range of 0.0001-0.005 mol%, resulting in up to a 100,000-fold increase in REE purity. This study offers a sustainable approach to diversifying REE supplies by recovering REEs from low-grade coal fly ash in industrial wastes and provides a scientific basis for the extraction of high-purity REEs for industrial purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Inchan Kwon
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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4
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Ye Q, Wang D, Wei N. Engineering biomaterials for the recovery of rare earth elements. Trends Biotechnol 2024; 42:575-590. [PMID: 37985335 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The escalating global demand for rare earth elements (REEs) and the overabundance of REE-containing waste require innovative technologies for REE recovery from waste to achieve a sustainable supply of REEs while reducing the environmental burden. Biosorption mediated by peptides or proteins has emerged as a promising approach for selective REE recovery. To date, multiple peptides and proteins with high REE-binding affinity and selectivity have been discovered, and various strategies are being exploited to engineer robust and reusable biosorptive materials for selective REE recovery. This review highlights recent advances in discovering and engineering peptides and proteins for REE recovery. Future research prospects and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanhui Ye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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5
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Verma G, Hostert J, Summerville AA, Robang AS, Garcia Carcamo R, Paravastu AK, Getman RB, Duval CE, Renner J. Investigation of Rare Earth Element Binding to a Surface-Bound Affinity Peptide Derived from EF-Hand Loop I of Lanmodulin. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:16912-16926. [PMID: 38527460 PMCID: PMC10995902 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c17565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Bioinspired strategies have been given extensive attention for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from waste streams because of their high selectivity, regeneration potential, and sustainability as well as low cost. Lanmodulin protein is an emerging biotechnology that is highly selective for REE binding. Mimicking lanmodulin with shorter peptides is advantageous because they are simpler and potentially easier to manipulate and optimize. Lanmodulin-derived peptides have been found to bind REEs, but their properties have not been explored when immobilized on solid substrates, which is required for many advanced separation technologies. Here, two peptides, LanM1 and scrambled LanM1, are designed from the EF-hand loop 1 of lanmodulin and investigated for their binding affinity toward different REEs when surface-bound. First, the ability of LanM1 to bind REEs was confirmed and characterized in solution using circular dichroism (CD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for Ce(III) ions. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to further analyze the binding of the LanM1 to Ce(III), Nd(III), Eu(III), and Y(III) ions and in low-pH conditions. The performance of the immobilized peptides on a model gold surface was examined using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). The studies show that the LanM1 peptide has a stronger REE binding affinity than that of scrambled LanM1 when in solution and when immobilized on a gold surface. QCM-D data were fit to the Langmuir adsorption model to estimate the surface-bound dissociation constant (Kd) of LanM1 with Ce(III) and Nd(III). The results indicate that LanM1 peptides maintain a high affinity for REEs when immobilized, and surface-bound LanM1 has no affinity for potential competitor calcium and copper ions. The utility of surface-bound LanM1 peptides was further demonstrated by immobilizing them to gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and capturing REEs from solution in experiments utilizing an Arsenazo III-based colorimetric dye displacement assay and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry. The saturated adsorption capacity of GNPs was estimated to be around 3.5 μmol REE/g for Ce(III), Nd(III), Eu(III), and Y(III) ions, with no binding of non-REE Ca(II) ions observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geeta Verma
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jacob Hostert
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Alex A. Summerville
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Alicia S. Robang
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Ricardo Garcia Carcamo
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Anant K. Paravastu
- School
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Parker
H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 315 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Rachel B. Getman
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Christine E. Duval
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Julie Renner
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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6
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Kastenhofer J, Spadiut O, Papangelakis VG, Allen DG. Roles of pH and phosphate in rare earth element biosorption with living acidophilic microalgae. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:262. [PMID: 38483568 PMCID: PMC10940408 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The increasing demand for rare earth elements (REEs) has spurred interest in the development of recovery methods from aqueous waste streams. Acidophilic microalgae have gained attention for REE biosorption as they can withstand high concentrations of transition metals and do not require added organic carbon to grow, potentially allowing simultaneous sorption and self-replication of the sorbent. Here, we assessed the potential of Galdieria sulphuraria for REE biosorption under acidic, nutrient-replete conditions from solutions containing ≤ 15 ppm REEs. Sorption at pH 1.5-2.5 (the growth optimum of G. sulphuraria) was poor but improved up to 24-fold at pH 5.0 in phosphate-free conditions. Metabolic activity had a negative impact on REE sorption, additionally challenging the feasibility of REE biosorption under ideal growth conditions for acidophiles. We further examined the possibility of REE biosorption in the presence of phosphate for biomass growth at elevated pH (pH ≥ 2.5) by assessing aqueous La concentrations in various culture media. Three days after adding La into the media, dissolved La concentrations were up to three orders of magnitude higher than solubility predictions due to supersaturation, though LaPO4 precipitation occurred under all conditions when seed was added. We concluded that biosorption should occur separately from biomass growth to avoid REE phosphate precipitation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the importance of proper control experiments in biosorption studies to assess potential interactions between REEs and matrix ions such as phosphates. KEY POINTS: • REE biosorption with G. sulphuraria increases significantly when raising pH to 5 • Phosphate for biosorbent growth has to be supplied separately from biosorption • Biosorption studies have to assess potential matrix effects on REE behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kastenhofer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Oliver Spadiut
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Division Biochemical Engineering, Research Group Integrated Bioprocess Development, TU Vienna, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimiros G Papangelakis
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - D Grant Allen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E5, Canada.
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7
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Qian X, Ma C, Zhang H, Liu K. Bioseparation of rare earth elements and high value-added biomaterials applications. Bioorg Chem 2024; 143:107040. [PMID: 38141331 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.107040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of critical minerals and extensively employed in new material manufacturing. However, separation of lanthanides is difficult because of their similar chemical natures. Current lanthanide leaching and separation methods require hazardous compounds, resulting in severe environmental concerns. Bioprocessing of lanthanides offers an emerging class of tools for REE separation due to mild leaching conditions and highly selective separation scenarios. In the course of biopreparation, engineered microbes not only dissolve REEs from ores but also allow for selective separation of the lanthanides. In this review, we present an overview of recent advances in microbes and proteins used for the biomanufacturing of lanthanides and discuss high value-added applications of REE-derived biomaterials. We begin by introducing the fundamental interactions between natural microbes and REEs. Then we discuss the rational design of chassis microbes for bioleaching and biosorption. We also highlight the investigations on REE binding proteins and their applications in the synthesis of high value-added biomaterials. Finally, future opportunities and challenges for the development of next generation lanthanide-binding biological systems are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xining Qian
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China.
| | - Hongjie Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Xiangfu Laboratory, Building 5, No.828 Zhongxing Road, Xitang Town, Jiashan, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314102, China
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8
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Vo PHN, Danaee S, Hai HTN, Huy LN, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen HTM, Kuzhiumparambil U, Kim M, Nghiem LD, Ralph PJ. Biomining for sustainable recovery of rare earth elements from mining waste: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168210. [PMID: 37924876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for advanced manufacturing (e.g., renewable energy, military equipment, electric vehicles); hence, the recovery of REEs from low-grade resources has become increasingly important to address their growing demand. Depending on specific mining sites, its geological conditions, and sociodemographic backgrounds, mining waste has been identified as a source of REEs in various concentrations and abundance. Yttrium, cerium, and neodymium are the most common REEs in mining waste streams (50 to 300 μg/L). Biomining has emerged as a viable option for REEs recovery due to its reduced environmental impact, along with reduced capital investment compared to traditional recovery methods. This paper aims to review (i) the characteristics of mining waste as a low-grade REEs resource, (ii) the key operating principles of biomining technologies for REEs recovery, (iii) the effects of operating conditions and matrix on REEs recovery, and (iv) the sustainability of REEs recovery through biomining technologies. Six types of biomining will be examined in this review: bioleaching, bioweathering, biosorption, bioaccumulation, bioprecipitation and bioflotation. Based on a SWOT analyses and techno-economic assessments (TEA), biomining technologies have been found to be effective and efficient in recovering REEs from low-grade sources. Through TEA, coal ash has been shown to return the highest profit amongst mining waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phong H N Vo
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - Soroosh Danaee
- Biotechnology Department, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran 3353-5111, Iran
| | - Ho Truong Nam Hai
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Lai Nguyen Huy
- Environmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Tuan A H Nguyen
- Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hong T M Nguyen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Unnikrishnan Kuzhiumparambil
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Mikael Kim
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Long D Nghiem
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Peter J Ralph
- Climate Change Cluster, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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9
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Jung H, Su Z, Inaba Y, West AC, Banta S. Genetic Modification of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans for Rare-Earth Element Recovery under Acidic Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19902-19911. [PMID: 37983372 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
As global demands for rare-earth elements (REEs) continue to grow, the biological recovery of REEs has been explored as a promising strategy, driven by potential economic and environmental benefits. It is known that calcium-binding domains, including helix-loop-helix EF hands and repeats-in-toxin (RTX) domains, can bind lanthanide ions due to their similar ionic radii and coordination preference to calcium. Recently, the lanmodulin protein from Methylorubrum extorquens was reported, which has evolved a high affinity for lanthanide ions over calcium. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is a chemolithoautotrophic acidophile, which has been explored for use in bioleaching for metal recovery. In this report, A. ferrooxidans was engineered for the recombinant intracellular expression of lanmodulin. In addition, an RTX domain from the adenylate cyclase protein of Bordetella pertussis, which has previously been shown to bind Tb3+, was expressed periplasmically via fusion with the endogenous rusticyanin protein. The binding of lanthanides (Tb3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, and La3+) was improved by up to 4-fold for cells expressing lanmodulin and 13-fold for cells expressing the RTX domains in both pure and mixed metal solutions. Interestingly, the presence of lanthanides in the growth media enhanced protein expression, likely by influencing protein stability. Both engineered cell lines exhibited higher recoveries and selectivities for four tested lanthanides (Tb3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, and La3+) over non-REEs (Fe2+ and Co2+) in a synthetic magnet leachate, demonstrating the potential of these new strains for future REE reclamation and recycling applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejung Jung
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Zihang Su
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Yuta Inaba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Alan C West
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Scott Banta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, 500 West 120th Street, New York, New York 10027, United States
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10
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Zhang Y, Guo W, Liu D, Ding Y. Tuning the Dual Active Sites of Functionalized UiO-66 for Selective Adsorption of Yb(III). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:17233-17244. [PMID: 36962007 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c00938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from discharged electronic devices or mineral waste water is highly essential but still facing challenges. In this work, two amino-functionalized carboxyl-UiO-66 (UiO-66-COOH-TETA and UiO-66-(COOH)2-ED) prepared via the postmodification method were employed as the adsorbents for Yb(III) capture. The experimental results revealed their superior adsorption capacities of 161.5 and 202.6 mg/g, respectively. Meanwhile, their adsorption processes can be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model. Effects of initial pH and temperature on adsorptions were systematically evaluated, affording an optimal operating condition (i.e., pH of 5.5-6, T of 65 °C, t of 10 h). Moreover, the fabricated materials exhibited great reusability after five adsorption-regeneration cycles. UiO-66-COOH-TETA demonstrated good separation selectivity for Yb(III) over light REEs (i.e., 3.98 of Yb/Ce, 3.51 of Yb/Nd). Based on the density functional theory calculations and characterization analysis (XPS, Zeta, mapping, and IR), the adsorption mechanisms were mainly attributed to significant electrostatic attraction and strong surface complexation between N and O sites and Yb(III).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Weidong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Donghao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Yigang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
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11
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Tan L, Liu X, Zhang Y. Glutaraldehyde fixation promotes palladium and gold nanoparticles formation in yeast and enhances their catalytic activity in 4-nitrophenol reduction. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 446:130696. [PMID: 36603424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
When observing biosynthesized metal nanoparticles in microorganisms, glutaraldehyde is commonly used as a fixative to prepare TEM ultra-thin sections. However, as a chemical reagent with aldehyde groups, its reduction potential on metal ions has yet to be studied elaborately. Herein, we explored the influences of glutaraldehyde on yeast-synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) and their catalytic performance. A modified method for ultra-thin section preparation without glutaraldehyde fixation was developed to exclude its influence on AuNPs/PdNPs observation. It was confirmed that glutaraldehyde could promote the biosynthesis of AuNPs and PdNPs extra- and intracellularly, without altering their crystal structure and chemical state. The adsorption and reduction of Au(III)/Pd(II) were attributed to the different components of the yeast cell. Specifically, the amines and carboxyl groups in proteins and polysaccharides were involved in adsorption, while the reducing sugars hydrolyzed from polysaccharides were responsible for Au(III)/Pd(II) reduction. After glutaraldehyde fixation, the catalytic activities of Au/Pd-loaded yeast in 4-nitrophenol reduction were enhanced as well. Therefore, the influence of chemical fixatives in biosynthesized metal nanoparticles should be taken into consideration in regard to SEM, TEM observation and catalytic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Tan
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Xindi Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China
| | - Yanfei Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China; National Center of Technology Innovation for Synthetic Biology, Tianjin 300308, China.
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12
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Ye Q, Jin X, Zhu B, Gao H, Wei N. Lanmodulin-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Highly Selective Biosorbent for Recovery of Rare Earth Elements. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:4276-4285. [PMID: 36790366 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from waste streams represents a sustainable approach to diversify REE supply while alleviating the environmental burden. However, it remains a critical challenge to selectively separate and concentrate REEs from low-grade waste streams. In this study, we developed a new type of biosorbent by immobilizing Lanmodulin-SpyCatcher (LanM-Spycatcher) on the surface of SpyTag-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for selective separation and recovery of REEs from waste streams. The biosorbent, referred to as MNP-LanM, had an adsorption activity of 6.01 ± 0.11 μmol-terbium/g-sorbent and fast adsorption kinetics. The adsorbed REEs could be desorbed with >90% efficiency. The MNP-LanM selectively adsorbed REEs in the presence of a broad range of non-REEs. The protein storage stability of the MNP-LanM increased by two-fold compared to free LanM-SpyCatcher. The MNP-LanM could be efficiently separated using a magnet and reused with high stability as it retained ∼95% of the initial activity after eight adsorption-desorption cycles. Furthermore, the MNP-LanM selectively adsorbed and concentrated REEs from the leachate of coal fly ash and geothermal brine, resulting in 967-fold increase of REE purity. This study provides a scientific basis for developing innovative biosorptive materials for selective and efficient separation and recovery of REEs from low-grade feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanhui Ye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Xiuyu Jin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Baotong Zhu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Haifeng Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 3221 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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13
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Zhang Y, Guo W, Liu D, Ding Y. Tailoring abundant active-oxygen sites of Prussian blue analogues-derived adsorbents for highly efficient Yb(III) capture. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 445:130457. [PMID: 36444809 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The removal of rare earth elements in mineral processing wastewater is highly desirable but still challenging. In this study, three bimetallic Prussian blue analogues (PBA) and six corresponding oxides are prepared by co-precipitation and calcination methods, and then utilized to adsorb aqueous Yb(III) solution. The results of XRD, SEM, BET, and XPS indicate the successful synthesis of all the adsorbents. Among them, three PBA-oxide samples (PBO-800) exhibit the superior adsorption capacities (˃250 mg/g). The adsorption processes of Yb(III) are in accordance with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model, simultaneously showing the spontaneous and endothermic thermodynamics. Moreover, PBO-800 can be reused after alkaline solution regeneration with less than 10% degradation after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles. More importantly, PBO-800 exhibits the impressive separation selectivity of Yb(III) and most light rare earth ions (e.g., 5.51 of Yb/La, 4.03 of Yb/Pr), as well as the selectivity of Yb(III) and alkali metal ions (e.g., 300.5 of Yb/Na, 256.2 of Yb/Ca). According to the characterization analysis and DFT calculation, the adsorption mechanism of Yb(III) by PBO-800 is mainly attributed to the strong interaction between the abundant active-oxygen sites and Yb(III), and the significant electrostatic attraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China; Key Laboratory of Coal Processing and Efficient Utilization, (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou 221008, China.
| | - Weidong Guo
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Donghao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Yigang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Process of Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory for Novel Reactor and Green Chemical Technology, Engineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Pharmacy, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, China
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14
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Xie C, Xiao Y, He C, Liu WS, Tang YT, Wang S, van der Ent A, Morel JL, Simonnot MO, Qiu RL. Selective recovery of rare earth elements and value-added chemicals from the Dicranopteris linearis bio-ore produced by agromining using green fractionation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130253. [PMID: 36327843 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The increasing demand for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and the depletion of mineral resources motivate sustainable strategies for REE recovery from alternative unconventional sources, such as REE hyperaccumulator. The greatest impediment to REE agromining is the difficulty in the separation of REEs and other elements from the harvested biomass (bio-ore). Here, we develop a sulfuric acid assisted ethanol fractionation method for processing D. linearis bio-ore to produce the pure REE compounds and value-added chemicals. The results show that 94.5% of REEs and 87.4% of Ca remained in the solid phase, and most of the impurities (Al, Fe, Mg, and Mn) transferred to the liquid phase. Density functional theory calculations show that the water-cation bonds of REEs and Ca cations were broken more easily than the bonds of the cations of key impurities, causing lower solubility of REEs and Ca compounds. Subsequent separation and purification led to a REE-oxide (REO) product with a purity of 97.1% and a final recovery of 88.9%. In addition, lignin and phenols were obtained during organosolv fractionation coupled with a fast pyrolysis process. This new approach opens up the possibility for simultaneous selective recovery of REEs and to produce value-added chemicals from REE bio-ore refining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candie Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Ye Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chao He
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Wen-Shen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Ye-Tao Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Shizhong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
| | - Antony van der Ent
- Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | | | - Rong-Liang Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural & Rural Pollution Abatement and Environmental Safety, College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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15
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Breijaert TC, Budnyak TM, Kessler VK, Seisenbaeva GA. Tailoring a bio-based adsorbent for sequestration of late transition and rare earth elements. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:17978-17986. [PMID: 36412094 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt03150g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The demand for new renewable energy sources, improved energy storage and exhaust-free transportation requires the use of large quantities of rare earth (REE) and late transition (LTM, group 8-12) elements. In order to achieve sustainability in their use, an efficient green recycling technology is required. Here, an approach, a synthetic route and an evaluation of the designed bio-based material are reported. Cotton-derived nano cellulose particles were functionalized with a polyamino ligand, tris(2-aminoethyl) amine (TAEA), achieving ligand content of up to ca. 0.8 mmol g-1. The morphology and structure of the produced adsorbent were revealed by PXRD, SEM-EDS, AFM and FTIR techniques. The adsorption capacity and kinetics of REE and LTM were investigated by conductometric photometric titrations, revealing quick uptake, high adsorption capacity and pronounced selectivity for LTM compared to REE. Molecular insights into the mode of action of the adsorbent were obtained via the investigation of the molecular structure of the Ni(II)-TAEA complex by an X-ray single crystal study. The bio-based adsorbent nanomaterial demonstrated in this work opens up a perspective for tailoring specific adsorbents in the sequestration of REE and LTM for their sustainable recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy C Breijaert
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Biocentrum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Almas Allé 5, Box 7015, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Tetyana M Budnyak
- Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University, Box 35, 751 03 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Vadim K Kessler
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Biocentrum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Almas Allé 5, Box 7015, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gulaim A Seisenbaeva
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Biocentrum, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Almas Allé 5, Box 7015, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Lima ÉC, Pinto D, Schadeck Netto M, Dos Reis GS, Silva LFO, Dotto GL. Biosorption of Neodymium (Nd) from Aqueous Solutions Using Spirulina platensis sp. Strains. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14214585. [PMID: 36365577 PMCID: PMC9654694 DOI: 10.3390/polym14214585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare earth elements such as neodymium (Nd) are important elements used mainly in developing new technologies. Although they are found in low concentrations in nature, they can be obtained by extracting solid samples such as phosphogypsum. Among the techniques, adsorption has been used successfully with several adsorbent materials. In this work, two strains of Spirulina platensis (LEB-18 and LEB-52) were employed as biosorbents for efficiently removing the Nd element from the aqueous media. Biosorption tests were carried out in a batch system, and the results of the biosorption kinetics showed that for both materials, the biosorption of Nd was better described by the Avrami model. Moreover, it could be considered that 80 min would be necessary to attain the equilibrium of Nd(III) using both biosorbents. The result of the biosorption isotherms showed that for both strains, the best-fitted model was the Liu model, having a maximum biosorption capacity of 72.5 mg g−1 for LEB-18 and 48.2 mg g−1 for LEB-52 at a temperature of 298 K. Thermodynamics of adsorption showed that for both LEB-18 and LEB-52 the process was favorable (∆G° < 0) and exothermic (∆H° −23.2 for LEB-18 and ∆H° −19.9 for LEB-52). Finally, both strains were suitable to uptake Nd, and the better result of LEB-18 could be attributed to the high amount of P and S groups in this biomass. Based on the results, a mechanism of electrostatic attraction of Nd3+ and phosphate and sulfate groups of both strains of Spirulina platensis was proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éder C. Lima
- Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90040-060, Brazil
| | - Diana Pinto
- Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad De La Costa, Calle 58 # 55-66, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
| | - Matias Schadeck Netto
- Research Group on Adsorptive and Catalytic Process Engineering (ENGEPAC), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Glaydson S. Dos Reis
- Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, Biomass Technology Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Luis F. O. Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental, Universidad De La Costa, Calle 58 # 55-66, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Correspondence: (L.F.O.S.); (G.L.D.)
| | - Guilherme L. Dotto
- Research Group on Adsorptive and Catalytic Process Engineering (ENGEPAC), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (L.F.O.S.); (G.L.D.)
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