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Rationally designed nanotrap structures for efficient separation of rare earth elements over a single step

Author

Listed:
  • Qing-Hua Hu

    (East China University of Technology
    Nanchang University
    Jinggangshan University)

  • An-Min Song

    (Nanchang University)

  • Xin Gao

    (Nanchang University)

  • Yu-Zhen Shi

    (Nanchang University)

  • Wei Jiang

    (Nanchang University)

  • Ru-Ping Liang

    (Nanchang University)

  • Jian-Ding Qiu

    (East China University of Technology
    Nanchang University)

Abstract

Extracting rare earth elements (REEs) from wastewater is essential for the growth and an eco-friendly sustainable economy. However, it is a daunting challenge to separate individual rare earth elements by their subtle differences. To overcome this difficulty, we report a unique REE nanotrap that features dense uncoordinated carboxyl groups and triazole N atoms in a two-fold interpenetrated metal-organic framework (named NCU-1). Notably, the synergistic effect of suitable pore sizes and REE nanotraps in NCU-1 is highly responsive to the size variation of rare-earth ions and shows high selectivity toward light REE. As a proof of concept, Pr/Lu and Nd/Er are used as binary models, which give a high separation factor of SFPr/Lu = 796 and SFNd/Er = 273, demonstrating highly efficient separation over a single step. This ability achieves efficient and selective extraction and separation of REEs from mine tailings, establishing this platform as an important advance for sustainable obtaining high-purity REEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Qing-Hua Hu & An-Min Song & Xin Gao & Yu-Zhen Shi & Wei Jiang & Ru-Ping Liang & Jian-Ding Qiu, 2024. "Rationally designed nanotrap structures for efficient separation of rare earth elements over a single step," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45810-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45810-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xuemiao Yin & Yaxing Wang & Xiaojing Bai & Yumin Wang & Lanhua Chen & Chengliang Xiao & Juan Diwu & Shiyu Du & Zhifang Chai & Thomas E. Albrecht-Schmitt & Shuao Wang, 2017. "Rare earth separations by selective borate crystallization," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Xiao-Zhen Li & Li-Peng Zhou & Liang-Liang Yan & Ya-Min Dong & Zhuan-Ling Bai & Xiao-Qi Sun & Juan Diwu & Shuao Wang & Jean-Claude Bünzli & Qing-Fu Sun, 2018. "A supramolecular lanthanide separation approach based on multivalent cooperative enhancement of metal ion selectivity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
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