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The use of organic solvents in an electrolytic system for neodymium electrorecovery by electrolysis at low temperatures is studied in the current work. More specifically, an alternative route, that of the system of DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) with dissolved NdCl3 has been researched and has given promising results. The study of this electrolytic system has been divided into two stages. Firstly, the characteristics of the electrolyte, the dissolution of NdCl3 in DMSO, the conductivity and the viscosity of NdCl3 solutions in DMSO at various temperatures, and the Nd complexation in the solution were studied and secondly, the electrolysis parameters and their impact on the Nd electrodeposition process were evaluated. Finally, the deposits were submitted to SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy) analysis and metallic Nd was confirmed to be electrodeposited by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopy.

The primary iron metallurgy is characterized by significant direct CO2 emissions, due to the carbothermic reduction of the iron ore. This paper deals with the electrification of primary iron production by developing a new and innovative process for the carbon-free production of metallic iron from Bauxite Residue (BR) which is a by-product of the alumina industry. It is based on the electroreduction of iron oxides from BR suspensions in concentrated sodium hydroxide solutions, at low temperature and normal pressure. The iron oxide source, used in the present study is bauxite residue provided by Mytilineos S.A., Metallurgy Business Unit-Aluminium of Greece. The research study is a preliminary screening of BR as a potential raw material for iron production by performing experiments in a small-scale electrolysis cell. The first results presented here, show that iron can be produced by the reduction of iron oxides in the bauxite residue with high Faradaic efficiency (>70%). Although significant optimization is needed, the novel process shows great promise.

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