Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles for Yttrium Recovery by Chelating Effect.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical for modern technologies.
• Efficient and selective recovery of REEs like yttrium remains a challenge.
• Nanoparticle-based extraction offers a promising avenue for REE recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and optimize a two-step solid-liquid extraction process for yttrium recovery.
• To evaluate the efficacy of polymethyl methacrylate nanoparticles functionalized with different compounds.
• To investigate the thermodynamic properties and selectivity of the yttrium extraction process.

Main Methods:

• Solid-liquid extraction (extraction and stripping) using functionalized polymethyl methacrylate nanoparticles.
• Optimization of process parameters including pH and solid-liquid ratio.
• Characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC).

Main Results:

• Achieved 90% efficiency for yttrium recovery in both extraction and stripping stages within a single cycle.
• Identified optimal conditions (pH, solid-liquid ratio) and the best-performing functionalizing compound.
• SEM confirmed nanoparticle structural integrity and metal complex formation.
• Demonstrated potential for selective REE recovery by adjusting pH.
• ITC revealed the extraction process to be spontaneous and highly entropic.

Conclusions:

• Functionalized polymethyl methacrylate nanoparticles are effective for yttrium recovery.
• The developed two-step extraction process is highly efficient and potentially selective.
• The spontaneous and entropic nature of the process provides insights into the recovery mechanism.