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Selective separation of light rare-earth elements by supramolecular encapsulation and precipitation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4497. [PMID: 35922415 PMCID: PMC9349306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Supramolecular chemical strategies for Rare Earth (RE) element separations are emerging which amplify the small changes in properties across the series to bias selectivity in extraction or precipitation. These advances are important as the REs are crucial to modern technologies yet their extraction, separation, and recycling using conventional techniques remain challenging. We report here a pre-organised triamidoarene platform which, under acidic, biphasic conditions, uniquely and selectively precipitates light RE nitratometalates as supramolecular capsules. The capsules exhibit both intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds that dictate selectivity, promote precipitation, and facilitate the straightforward release of the RE and recycling of the receptor. This work provides a self-assembly route to metal separations that exploits size and shape complementarity and has the potential to integrate into conventional processes due to its compatibility with acidic metal feed streams. The separation of the rare-earth elements is a significant scientific challenge. Here, the authors report the selective precipitation of the light rare-earths as supramolecular capsules from acidic, industrially relevant, mixed-metal solutions.
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Schaeffer N, Vargas SJR, Passos H, Brandão P, Nogueira HIS, Svecova L, Coutinho JAP. A HNO 3 -Responsive Aqueous Biphasic System for Metal Separation: Application towards Ce IV Recovery. CHEMSUSCHEM 2021; 14:3018-3026. [PMID: 34087058 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
An acidic aqueous biphasic system (AcABS) presenting a desired and reversible phase transition with HNO3 concentration and temperature was developed herein as an integrated platform for metal separation. The simple, economical, and fully incinerable (C,H,O,N) AcABS composed of tetrabutylammonium nitrate ([N4444 ][NO3 ])+HNO3 +H2 O was characterized and presented an excellent selectivity towards CeIV against other rare earth elements and transition metals from both synthetic solutions and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery leachates. The acid-driven self-assembly of AcABS bridges the gap between traditional ABS and liquid-liquid extraction whilst retaining their advantageous qualities, including compatibility with highly acidic solutions, water as the primary system component, the avoidance of organic diluents, rapid mass transfer, and the potential integration of the leaching and separation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Schaeffer
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Silvia J R Vargas
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena Passos
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Paula Brandão
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena I S Nogueira
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lenka Svecova
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Grenoble INP, LEPMI, 38000, Grenoble, France
| | - João A P Coutinho
- CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Joo MH, Park SJ, Hong SM, Rhee CK, Sohn Y. Electrochemical Recovery and Behaviors of Rare Earth (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) Ions on Ni Sheets. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 13:E5314. [PMID: 33255328 PMCID: PMC7727713 DOI: 10.3390/ma13235314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The electrochemical behaviors of rare earth (RE) ions have extensively been studied because of their high potential applications to the reprocessing of used nuclear fuels and RE-containing materials. In the present study, we fully investigated the electrochemical behaviors of RE(III) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) ions over a Ni sheet electrode in 0.1 M NaClO4 electrolyte solution by cyclic voltammetry between +0.5 and -1.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Amperometry electrodeposition experiments were performed between -1.2 and -0.9 V to recover RE elements over the Ni sheet. The successfully RE-recovered Ni sheets were fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The newly reported recovery data for RE(III) ions over a metal electrode provide valuable information on the development of the treatment methods of RE elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hee Joo
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (M.H.J.); (S.J.P.); (S.M.H.); (C.K.R.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - So Jeong Park
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (M.H.J.); (S.J.P.); (S.M.H.); (C.K.R.)
| | - Sung Min Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (M.H.J.); (S.J.P.); (S.M.H.); (C.K.R.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Choong Kyun Rhee
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (M.H.J.); (S.J.P.); (S.M.H.); (C.K.R.)
| | - Youngku Sohn
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea; (M.H.J.); (S.J.P.); (S.M.H.); (C.K.R.)
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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Nayak S, Lovering K, Uysal A. Ion-specific clustering of metal-amphiphile complexes in rare earth separations. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:20202-20210. [PMID: 32969439 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr04231e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The nanoscale structure of a complex fluid can play a major role in the selective adsorption of ions at the nanometric interfaces, which is crucial in industrial and technological applications. Here we study the effect of anions and lanthanide ions on the nanoscale structure of a complex fluid formed by metal-amphiphile complexes, using small angle X-ray scattering. The nano- and mesoscale structures we observed can be directly connected to the preferential transfer of light (La and Nd) or heavy (Er and Lu) lanthanides into the complex fluid from an aqueous solution. While toluene-based complex fluids containing trioctylmethylammonium-nitrate (TOMA-nitrate) always show the same mesoscale hierarchical structure regardless of lanthanide loading and prefer light lanthanides, those containing TOMA-thiocyanate show an evolution of the mesoscale structure as a function of the lanthanide loading and prefer heavy lanthanides. The hierarchical structure indicates the presence of attractive interactions between ion-amphiphile aggregates, causing them to form clusters. A clustering model that accounts for the hard sphere repulsions and short-range attractions between the aggregates has been adapted to model the X-ray scattering results. The new model successfully describes the nanoscale structure and helps in understanding the mechanisms responsible for amphiphile assisted ion transport between immiscible liquids. Accordingly, our results imply different mechanisms of lanthanide transport depending on the anion present in the complex fluid and correspond with anion-dependent trends in rare earth separations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Nayak
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
| | - Kaitlin Lovering
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
| | - Ahmet Uysal
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.
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M. M. Kinsman L, A. Morrison C, T. Ngwenya B, B. Love J. Reducing the Competition: A Dual-Purpose Ionic Liquid for the Extraction of Gallium from Iron Chloride Solutions. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184047. [PMID: 32899701 PMCID: PMC7570643 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The separation of gallium from iron by solvent extraction from chloride media is challenging because the anionic chloridometalates, FeCl4− and GaCl4−, display similar chemical properties. However, we report here that the selective separation of gallium from iron in HCl solution can be achieved using the dual-purpose ionic liquid methyltrioctylammonium iodide in a solvent extraction process. In this case, the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by the iodide counterion was found to inhibit Fe transport, facilitating quantitative Ga extraction by the ionic liquid with minimal Fe extraction from 2 M HCl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke M. M. Kinsman
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK; (L.M.M.K.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Carole A. Morrison
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK; (L.M.M.K.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Bryne T. Ngwenya
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK;
| | - Jason B. Love
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FJ, UK; (L.M.M.K.); (C.A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-131-650-4762
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Li Z, Binnemans K. Hydration counteracts the separation of lanthanides by solvent extraction. AIChE J 2020; 66:e16545. [PMID: 35859698 PMCID: PMC9285791 DOI: 10.1002/aic.16545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The extraction of lanthanides from aqueous nitrate solutions by quaternary ammonium nitrate ionic liquids (e.g., [A336][NO3]) shows a negative sequence (i.e., light lanthanides are more efficiently extracted than heavy lanthanides), which conflicts with the lanthanide contraction. In this study, we explored the origin of the negative sequence by investigating the extraction of lanthanides from ethylammonium nitrate by [A336][NO3]. The extraction shows a positive sequence, which is converted to a negative sequence with the addition of water. The transformation from positive to negative sequences reveals that the negative sequence is caused by the hydration of lanthanide ions: hydration of lanthanide ions counteracts the extraction. Therefore, the use of solvents that have weak solvation with lanthanide ions might enhance the separation of the elements by solvent extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of ChemistryKU Leuven Heverlee Belgium
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Li Z, Zhang Z, Smolders S, Li X, Raiguel S, Nies E, De Vos DE, Binnemans K. Enhancing Metal Separations by Liquid-Liquid Extraction Using Polar Solvents. Chemistry 2019; 25:9197-9201. [PMID: 31141619 PMCID: PMC6771523 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The less polar phase of liquid–liquid extraction systems has been studied extensively for improving metal separations; however, the role of the more polar phase has been overlooked for far too long. Herein, we investigate the extraction of metals from a variety of polar solvents and demonstrate that, the influence of polar solvents on metal extraction is so significant that extraction of many metals can be largely tuned, and the metal separations can be significantly enhanced by selecting suitable polar solvents. Furthermore, a mechanism on how the polar solvents affect metal extraction is proposed based on comprehensive characterizations. The method of using suitable polar solvents in liquid–liquid extraction paves a new and versatile way to enhance metal separations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Zidan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Simon Smolders
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Stijn Raiguel
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Erik Nies
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Dirk E De Vos
- Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Koen Binnemans
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
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Abstract
The rare earths (REs) are a family of 17 elements that exhibit pronounced chemical similarities as a group, while individually expressing distinctive and varied electronic properties. These atomistic electronic properties are extraordinarily useful and motivate the application of REs in many technologies and devices. From their discovery to the present day, a major challenge faced by chemists has been the separation of RE elements, which has evolved from tedious crystallization to highly engineered solvent extraction schemes. The increasing incorporation and dependence of REs in technology have raised concerns about their sustainability and motivated recent studies for improved separations to achieve a circular RE economy.
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Sun P, Huang K, Liu H. The nature of salt effect in enhancing the extraction of rare earths by non-functional ionic liquids: Synergism of salt anion complexation and Hofmeister bias. J Colloid Interface Sci 2018; 539:214-222. [PMID: 30580177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2018.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Separation and recycling of rare-earths using ionic liquids as extractant are becoming a promising approach to replace traditional volatile organic solvents in recent years. Generally, the addition of some special salts could improve the extraction efficiency of rare-earths by numerous non-functional ionic liquids. However, knowledge behind the nature of the salt effect is limited. Here, we found that the enhancement in the extraction of rare-earth ions, Pr3+ ions, using non-functional ionic liquid, [A336][NO3] (Tricaprylmethylammonium nitrate) was driven by the synergism of Hofmeister bias and complexation behaviors of salt anions with Pr3+ ions. Molecular dynamic simulations offered a new insight into the interaction mechanism of the ionic liquid with Pr3+ ions at liquid/liquid interface. It was revealed that salt anions could perform as a bridge to connect Pr3+ ions and the ionic liquid, so that promoted the extraction of Pr3+ ions. Therefore, the strong complexation ability of salt anions with Pr3+ ions and poor hydration of salt anions faciliated the transport of Pr3+ ions across liquid/liquid interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Kun Huang
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China.
| | - Huizhou Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
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