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Complex Adsorption Behavior of Neodymium and Ytterbium on Structurally-Distinct Alumina Surfaces
Yihang Fang1, Sang Soo Lee2, Greg J Ledingham1
1Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, Saint Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|February 19, 2025
Summary
Understanding rare earth element (REE) adsorption to clays is crucial for green energy. This study reveals how surface structure and defects influence REE binding, impacting resource extraction from weathering deposits.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for green energy technologies.
- Aluminum-rich clays in weathering deposits are potential REE resources.
- Mechanisms of REE adsorption and extraction from these deposits are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate REE adsorption mechanisms on alumina surfaces.
- Determine how surface crystallography influences REE binding affinities.
- Provide insights into REE accumulation in weathering deposits.
Main Methods:
- Applied element-specific surface crystallography.
- Utilized alumina (001) and (012) crystal surfaces.
- Evaluated neodymium (Nd(III)) and ytterbium (Yb(III)) adsorption.
Main Results:
- REEs formed inner- and outer-sphere complexes on alumina (001), with Nd favoring inner-sphere binding.
- Alumina (012) showed lower adsorption of ordered REE species but hosted disordered Nd species, possibly due to surface defects.
- Surface topography and charging significantly controlled REE adsorption behavior.
Conclusions:
- REE adsorption in weathering deposits involves multiple competing reactions influenced by clay morphology.
- Differential binding affinities of REEs necessitate tailored leaching procedures for efficient resource recovery.
- Understanding surface-specific REE interactions is key to optimizing extraction from geological resources.
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