Maximized Lanthanide Extraction Using Supercritical CO₂ and Fluorinated Organophosphate Extractants

Abstract

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are critical to the production of modern integrated electronic devices that are ubiquitous in our lives. They are also of strategic importance to our economy and security. Unfortunately, although electronic waste contains such elements, its overall low concentration makes its recovery economically impractical, posing a significant challenge to recycling efforts. Hence, this paper proposes changes to the extraction process that focus on the potential for economically viable recovery. In addition, it also reduces the environmental impact of downstream hydrometallurgical processes. More precisely, this study presents novel extraction molecules that exhibit exceptional solubility and extraction efficiencies in supercritical carbon dioxide. This development therefore provides an alternative process to traditional hydrometallurgical processes that is more environmentally friendly and addresses the urgent need for sustainable methods of REE recovery and separation.