Developing Fluorescence-Based Sensors to Support Rare Earth Element Separation.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for renewable energy technologies, but demand outpaces current production.
• Efficient and scalable methods for processing primary and recycled REE feedstocks are urgently needed.
• In-line monitoring sensors are vital for optimizing novel REE separation processes and reducing costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore fluorescence spectroscopy for quantifying multiple lanthanides in complex matrices.
• To assess the performance of data-science-based quantification with optical sensor data.
• To demonstrate an effective approach for in-line monitoring in industrial REE separation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluorescence spectroscopy to quantify various rare earth elements (lanthanides).
• Identified optimal excitation wavelengths and determined limits of detection for REEs.
• Applied data science tools for quantification in the presence of interferents and unknowns within a microfluidic device.

Main Results:

• Successfully quantified multiple lanthanides in complex mixtures, including known interferents.
• Determined optimal excitation wavelengths and limits of detection for specific rare earth elements.
• Demonstrated that data science combined with optical sensor data can quantify analytes in challenging industrial stream matrices.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescence spectroscopy is a sensitive and selective technique suitable for quantifying REEs.
• Data science approaches enhance the accuracy of optical sensor-based quantification in complex solutions.
• This method shows significant potential for optimizing separation efficiency in industrial REE processing streams.