Enhanced Adsorption of Rare Earth Elements by a Poly(Itaconic Acid)/Magnetite Sepiolite Composite

Abstract

Adsorption offers an efficient and eco-friendly method for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs). However, it is not well known that most adsorbents are not eco-friendly. Rational design of next generation adsorbents should aim to enhance their green properties. In this work, sepiolite, Fe₃O₄ and itaconic acid were selected as the green raw materials. Poly(itaconic acid)/magnetite sepiolite composite (PIA/MSEP) was prepared using water as the solvent under mild reaction conditions and the entire process uses neither the bulk use of toxic organic solvents nor the addition of dangerous strong acid or alkali. The results indicate that PIA/MSEP has satisfactory maximum adsorption capacities of 178.57, 151.52 and 106.38 mg·g⁻¹ for Er³⁺, Nd³⁺ and Ce³⁺, respectively, with excellent regeneration stability. The PIA/MSEP exhibits outstanding adsorption rates that provide above 90% capacity within 10 min for Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺. This versatile material is a potential candidate for applications in the removal of REEs.

Keywords:

• Adsorption
• cerium
• erbium
• neodymium
• poly(itaconic acid)/magnetite sepiolite composite (PIA/MSEP
• rare earth elements (REEs)

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Training Project of Innovation Team of Colleges and Universities in Tianjin (TD13-5020).