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Lanmodulin-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Highly Selective Biosorbent for Recovery of Rare Earth Elements
Quanhui Ye1, Xiuyu Jin1, Baotong Zhu2
1Department 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.
Environmental Science & Technology
|February 15, 2023
Summary
This study introduces MNP-LanM, a novel biosorbent for efficiently recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from waste. This sustainable method enhances REE purity from low-grade sources.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Sustainable recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) is crucial for supply chain diversification and environmental protection.
- Selective separation of REEs from low-grade waste streams remains a significant challenge.
- Biosorbents offer a promising avenue for efficient and environmentally friendly REE recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel biosorbent for selective and efficient separation and recovery of REEs from waste streams.
- To functionalize magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with Lanmodulin-SpyCatcher (LanM-Spycatcher) for enhanced REE adsorption.
- To evaluate the performance, stability, and reusability of the developed MNP-LanM biosorbent.
Main Methods:
- Immobilization of Lanmodulin-SpyCatcher onto SpyTag-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to create MNP-LanM.
- Characterization of adsorption activity, kinetics, and desorption efficiency of MNP-LanM for REEs.
- Assessment of MNP-LanM's selectivity in the presence of non-REEs and its performance with real waste streams (coal fly ash leachate, geothermal brine).
- Evaluation of protein storage stability and MNP-LanM reusability over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles.
Main Results:
- MNP-LanM exhibited high adsorption activity (6.01 ± 0.11 μmol-terbium/g-sorbent) and fast adsorption kinetics.
- Desorption efficiency of adsorbed REEs was greater than 90%, with high selectivity over non-REEs.
- Protein storage stability of MNP-LanM was twofold higher than free LanM-SpyCatcher.
- MNP-LanM demonstrated efficient magnetic separation, retained ~95% activity after eight cycles, and achieved a 967-fold REE purity increase from waste leachates.
Conclusions:
- The developed MNP-LanM biosorbent provides an effective solution for selective REE separation and recovery from low-grade waste.
- This innovative biosorbent exhibits enhanced stability, reusability, and high efficiency in concentrating REEs from complex matrices.
- The study lays the groundwork for practical applications of advanced biosorptive materials in sustainable REE resource management.
