Nd(III) and Gd(III) Sorption on Mesoporous Amine-Functionalized Polymer/SiO2 Composite

The strong demand for rare-earth elements (REEs) is driven by their wide use in high-tech devices. New processes have to be developed for valorizing low-grade ores or alternative metal sources (such as wastes and spent materials). The present work contributed to the development of new sorbents for the recovery of rare earth ions from aqueous solutions. Functionalized mesoporous silica composite was synthesized by grafting diethylenetriamine onto composite support. The physical and chemical properties of the new sorbent are characterized using BET, TGA, elemental analysis, titration, FTIR, and XPS spectroscopies to identify the reactive groups (amine groups: 3.25 mmol N g⁻¹ and 3.41 by EA and titration, respectively) and their mode of interaction with Nd(III) and Gd(III). The sorption capacity at the optimum pH (i.e., 4) reaches 0.9 mmol Nd g⁻¹ and 1 mmol Gd g⁻¹. Uptake kinetics are modeled by the pseudo-first-order rate equation (equilibrium time: 30–40 min). At pH close to 4–5, the sorbent shows high selectivity for rare-earth elements against alkali-earth elements. This selectivity is confirmed by the efficient recovery of REEs from acidic leachates of gibbsite ore. After elution (using 0.5 M HCl solutions), selective precipitation (using oxalate solutions), and calcination, pure rare earth oxides were obtained. The sorbent shows promising perspective due to its high and fast sorption properties for REEs, good recycling, and high selectivity.     

稀土萃取分离技术方法研究

稀土在工业诸多领域中发挥着关键作用,在增材制造材料和介电材料等高新技术领域均显示出可期的应用前景。稀土元素的分离是衔接稀土资源与高性能稀土功能材料的关键过程,所以高效提纯稀土元素变得尤为重要。本文梳理了化学沉淀法、离子交换与吸附法、萃取色层法、溶剂萃取法、液膜分离法这些经典方法和化学气相传输法、氧化还原法、萃取沉淀法、微生物法、非平衡溶剂萃取法这些新技术方法的优缺点和适用性,侧重分析了这些技术方法在节能减排方面的最新研究情况,并展望了稀土分离提纯领域的重点发展方向,以期为稀土资源的绿色高效开发利用提供依据和借鉴。     

High-resolution spectra of selected rare earth elements and spectral interferences studied by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)

The rare earth elements (REEs) play very important roles in industrial manufacturing, technology development and biological processes. Due to their complex emission spectra, trace levels of REEs are difficult to analyze by conventional ICP-AES techniques. The present study investigates possible spectral interferences of matrices (rare earth oxides of Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Dy) on the analytical lines (± 0.1 nm) of a target REE. Detailed and well-resolved spectra for selected REEs are presented, and procedures used to rectify the problem of spectral interferences caused by REE matrices are discussed. A computer-assisted system (CAS) for spectral recognition has been developed and used to assist in the study of matrix interference. To determine directly trace rare earth elements in REE matrices without sample pre-separation, the application potential is demonstrated with a one meter sequential instrument retrofitted with a 3600 grooves/mm grating.     

Contents of heavy metals in lotus seed from REEs mining area

At rare earth mining area, the pollution of heavy metals has been paid little attention. In lotus seeds and soil samples sampled from a typical rare earth elements mining area were detected the contents of eight kinds of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb) to investigate the pollution from rare earth elements mining by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). The results showed that the contents of the heavy metals Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb in lotus seeds were 0.25, 86.94, 8.32, 19.76, 0.13, 0.08, 0.01, and 0.20 μg/g in lotus seeds, respectively, and corresponding contents in soil were 27.68, 168.71, 20.23, 47.16, 1.83, 0.13, 0.04, and 23.15 μg/g. These data showed that the contents of heavy metals in lotus seeds from REEs mining area are no higher than reference area and meet national food safety standards of China.     

Geochemistry of Spodosols formed in holocene till, Norra Storfjället Massif, northern Sweden

Silt and clay size fractions of soils, from a transect of six Spodosols formed in the Norra Storfjället Massif, were analyzed by neutron activation to determine the degree to which pedogenic processes have influenced the distribution of macro, micro and trace elements. The distributions of Mg, Ca and Fe, together with Co, Cr and other trace elements in the profiles, suggest the presence of different parent materials, with A and E horizons arising from an influx of aeolian sediment. Translocation processes, both physical and chemical, occurred in the soil concentrating Fe and Br in the spodic (Bs) horizons of the profiles. The rare earth elements (REEs) are predominantly associated with the heavy mineral fraction of the soil material. The distributions of chondrite normalized REEs patterns of the profiles indicate that light rare earth element (LREE) concentrations increase with horizon depth. The depletion of LREEs in the upper soil horizons confirms the presence of material that is chemically different from that in the lower horizons, thus indicating a distinct chemical difference from the local glacial deposits.     

Rare earth elements in mine,slime, and river waters in the Kavalerovsky and Dalnegorsky districts of the Russian Far East

The concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs) in anthropogenic (mine and slime) and river waters of Kavalerovsky and Dalnegorsky districts of the Far East have been estimated. The highest concentrations of REs have been found in mine water of the Dubrovskoe deposit (Kavalerovsky district), especially in the slime waters of the old tailing dump of the Krasnorechenskaya ore-dressing plant (KODP, Dalnegorsky district). Contamination of the Rudnaya river water has been detected in the vicinity of the KODP old and new tailings dumps. Taking into account that REEs are concomitant with sulfide minerals, the former can be extracted by repeated processing of wastes from the KODP old and new tailings dumps.     

Filtration combustion of solid fuel in countercurrent reactors

The works studying filtration combustion of solid fuels in the countercurrent mode are reviewed. The phenomenon of superadiabatic overheating is described. The data of experimental and theoretical studies and some results of the development of technological processes of production of thermal or electric energy from substandard raw materials and extraction of valuable components (for example, rare metals) from unconventional sources (industrial wastes, poor ores, burrows, etc.) are presented. The processes of safe treatment of problematic wastes are considered.     

稀土元素在植物中的分异研究进展

有关对稀土农用的理论和实践、天然和农业生态系统中稀土的地球化学行为及稀土的增产生理过程与毒理等方面已开展了大量研究,而对稀土进入植物体内的迁移过程、分布分异现象和机制缺乏必要的了解。稀土元素在植物中的分异研究有助于“示踪”稀土元素在土壤(溶液)-植物系统中的迁移路径,进而查明控制稀土元素迁移和积累的体外和体内敏感因素。本文结合近5年的研究工作,就近年来国内外有关稀土元素在植物中的分异现象、机制及其研究意义进行了综述,并展望了此方面的研究趋势,期望能为稀土以及重金属的生物有效性研究开辟一条新思路。     

Development of a Mixed Organic Acid Extractant for the Evaluation of Plant Availability of Rare Earth Elements in Soils

In recent years, fertilizers containing rare earth elements (REEs) have been used widely in agriculture (1, 2) and it may result in a potential increase in the contents of REEs in soil and cause environmental pollution. Therefore it is very important to obtain more knowledge of environmental effects of REEs in order to predict any possible deleterious effect occasioned by their use.     

Measurement of rare earths elements in Kakul phosphorite deposits of Pakistan using instrumental neutron activation analysis

The rare earth elements (REEs) content of Kakul phosphate rock (PR) from different localities of the main Hazara deposits of Pakistan were determined using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). 25 phosphorite samples were collected from different phosphorite sites and 6 samples representing different batches from the crushing plant near Kakul Mine. Concentrations of seven REEs (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Sm, Tb and Yb) were determined in the PR samples. The highest amounts of Heavy and light rare earth elements (HREE and LREE) were quantified in the PR samples collected at the Phosphate Rock Crushing Plant while the lowest amounts of these REEs were measured in the Lambidogi Phosphorite deposit samples. Comparison with global data showed the REEs content of the studied PRs show lower range for all REEs and mostly comparable to the data reported by Israel and Syria. Calculated chondrite ratio for these elements depicts enrichment of LREEs in all phosphorite deposits.     

稀土元素日允许摄入量与农用安全性探讨

稀土农用是我国独立开创的稀土应用领域,30年来,取得了巨大的经济效益。然而,作为元素周期表中第ⅢB主族的重金属,稀土元素不是动植物的必需微量元素,其生理效应的机制还不清楚,稀土农用的安全性问题一直受到密切的关注。本文从稀土元素分析方法与人均总膳食摄入量、稀土元素毒理实验方法与日允许摄入量、稀土农用对土壤中稀土元素含量和化学形态的影响、以及稀土农用对食物中稀土元素含量影响的4个方面,对文献报道作了分析、整理和评定,结论是只要对使用的范围、剂量及施用方式进行限制,稀土农用是一种安全的农业增产方式。     

Mechanism of vaporization of yttrium and rare earth elements in electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The mechanism of vaporization of yttrium and the rare earth elements (REEs) has been studied using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The appearance temperatures for Y and the REEs obtained by GFAAS were generally identical to the appearance temperatures obtained using ETV-ICP-MS. At lower temperatures, Y and the REEs are predominantly vaporized in atomic form or as oxides, while at temperatures above 2500°C, the elements are vaporized as oxides and/or carbides. This accounts for the very high sensitivity of ETV-ICP-MS compared to GFAAS for the determination of these elements. Absolute limits of detection for Y and all of the REEs using ETV-ICP-MS ranged from 0.002 pg for Tm to 0.2 pg for Ce. The use of freon as a chemical modifier was effective in controlling analyte carbide formation and reducing memory effects.     

Determination of rare earth elements in chloroplasts of Brassia napus by INAA and biochemical separation techniques

Intact chloroplasts were isolated from mesophyll protoplasts of Brassia napus. Concentrations of 8 rare earth elements (REEs) in the chloroplasts were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results showed that there were trace amounts of REEs in the chloroplasts, which corresponded to 1 atom of REEs per 2000 chlorophyll molecules. About 30% of the total REEs in the leaves are localized in the chloroplasts and the light REEs were enriched with respect to the heavy elements of the series.     

桦甸油页岩中稀土元素赋存状态研究

以吉林省桦甸油页岩为研究对象,采用电感耦合等离子质谱( ICP-MS)和化学逐级提取方法相结合,对油页岩中稀土元素的分布特征以及油页岩中稀土元素的赋存状态进行研究.结果表明,相对于中国煤,桦甸油页岩表现为轻稀土元素富集程度高于重稀土元素.油页岩中稀土元素与陆源碎屑岩关系密切,且陆源物质的供应相对比较稳定.轻重稀土间分馏...     

Rare earths elements in phosphorite and granulated single super-phosphate fertilizers of Pakistan,a study using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Sensitive nondestructive instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) technique has been applied for the determination of rare earth elements (REEs) (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Sm, Tb and Yb) in phosphate rocks (PR) and granulated single super-phosphate (GSSP) fertilizer samples from Hazara district of Pakistan. The comparison of the PR with product fertilizers shows that most of the quantified REEs were found to be in lower contents in the fertilizers. Six fertilizer samples with different N, P and K ratio for distinctive application to plants were also characterized. The REEs in these showed irregular patterns that can be attributed to difference in their manufacturing and chemical processes. The REEs contents of local phosphate fertilizer were found to be lower in comparison to the values cited in the literature; however Ce is relatively high. For quality assurance fair agreement was found between the results obtained for reference materials IAEA SL-1 (Lake Sediment) and GSJ-JR-1 (Rhyolite).     

REE bound DNA in natural plant

The binding of rare earth elements (REEs) with nucleic acids in the leaves of fern Dicranopteris dichotoma (DD) has been studied by molecular activation analysis (MAA). The REEs bound DNA (REE-DNA) was obtained from the leaves of DD. The CTAB-based procedure was modified for extraction of total DNA. The purity of DNA was examined by UV spectroscopy. The DNA obtained was separated and determined by agarose gel electrophoresis further. Meanwhile, the contents of eight rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu,Tb, Yb and Lu) in REE-DNA were detected by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results showed that REE-DNA with higher purity could be extracted from plant using this method. It was also found that REEs were bound firmly with DNA in the leaves of DD. The molecular weight (MW) of REE-DNA band was about 22 kb in agarose gel electrophoresis.     

Sequential determination of ultra-trace highly siderophile elements and rare earth elements by radiochemical neutron activation analysis: Application to pallasite meteorites

An analytical scheme of radiochemical neutron activation for the sequential determination of ultra-trace rare earth elements (REEs) and highly siderophile elements (HSEs) in geological and cosmochemical samples is presented. Using this procedure, several selected elements of REEs and HSEs were successively determined for geological reference samples and olivine crystals separated from pallasite meteorites. Based on the data for geological reference samples, it was concluded that the procedure presented in this study could yield data usable for cosmochemical discussion of the genesis of pallasite meteorites.     

AG50W-x8树脂分离去除钡的多原子离子对电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定稀土元素的质谱干扰

采用AG50W－x8阳离子交换树脂,以HNO3作为梯度淋洗剂,可有效地分离Ba和稀土元素,实验表明：以2mol/L HNO3淋洗时,99．5％的Ba被分离去除;以5mol/L HNO3淋洗时,稀土的回收率在96－110％之间。标准参考物质的分析结果显示测定值与标准值十分接近,表明AG50W－x8阳离子交换树脂分离可有效地去除Ba元素的多原子离子（BaO^ ,BaOH^ )对ICP－MS法测定稀土元素测定的质谱干扰,该方法准确,可靠。同时,为准确测定Eu提供了一条新的途径。     

Spectral Interferences in the Determination of REEs in Samarium and Dysprosium Matrices by High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES)

There is an increasing need for sensitive, accurate and convenient analytical techniques for rare earth elements (REEs) analysis and determination with their expanding applications. Rare earth elements (REEs) are widely used in the areas of industry, agriculture and modern technologies, e.g., as growth promotion agent in agriculture,catalyst in oil refining, additives in new ceramic material and special steels, etc. It is also finding important application in nuclear industry.     

ICP-MS Measurement of Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Beach Placer-Deposit Soils of Odisha,East Coast of India,to Estimate Natural Enhancement of Elements in the Environment

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to measure the concentration of trace and rare earth elements (REEs) in soils. Geochemical certified reference materials such as JLk-1, JB-1, and JB-3 were used for the validation of the analytical method. The measured values were in good agreement with the certified values for all the elements and were within 10% analytical error. Beach placer deposits of soils mainly from Odisha, on the east coast of India, have been selected to study selected trace and rare earth elements (REEs), to estimate enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) in the natural environment. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) results showed that Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Y, Zr, Cd and U were significantly enriched, and Th was extremely enriched. The total content of REEs (ƩREEs) ranged from 101.3 to 12,911.3 µg g⁻¹, with an average 2431.1 µg g⁻¹ which was higher than the average crustal value of ΣREEs. A high concentration of Th and light REEs were strongly correlated, which confirmed soil enrichment with monazite minerals. High ratios of light REEs (LREEs)/heavy REEs (HREEs) with a strong negative Eu anomaly revealed a felsic origin. The comparison of the chondrite normalized REE patterns of soil with hinterland rocks such as granite, charnockite, khondalite and migmatite suggested that enhancement of trace and REEs are of natural origin.