Functionalization of mesoporous materials for lanthanide and actinide extraction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Nuclear Chemistry

Background:

• Renewable and nuclear energy rely on critical minerals like rare earth elements (REEs) and actinides (Ac).
• Extraction and purification of these elements present environmental challenges, including radioactive waste generation and resource non-renewability.
• Developing efficient and selective separation methods is crucial for sustainable energy technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in mesoporous solid-phase (SP) sorbents for REE and Ac liquid-solid extraction.
• To highlight the potential of functionalized silica and carbon materials in addressing extraction challenges.
• To evaluate the performance, advantages, and drawbacks of these sorbents for industrial applications.

Main Methods:

• Focus on mesoporous silica and carbon sorbents functionalized with phosphorus or amide ligands.
• Analysis of extraction performance based on sorption capacity and selectivity.
• Discussion of drawbacks and advantages for potential industrial implementation.

Main Results:

• Functionalized mesoporous silica and carbon sorbents show promise for selective REE and Ac extraction.
• Ligand choice (e.g., phosphorus, amide) significantly influences sorption capacity and selectivity.
• These materials offer a potential pathway to mitigate environmental impacts associated with element extraction.

Conclusions:

• Mesoporous solid-phase sorbents represent a significant advancement in selective elemental separation for energy applications.
• Further research and development are needed to optimize sorbent performance and address industrial scalability.
• These materials contribute to more sustainable practices in the energy sector by improving resource utilization and waste management.