Recovery and separation of rare earth elements by molten salt electrolysis

Yin, Ting; Xue, Yong; Yan, Yong−De; Ma, Zhenchao; Ma, Fuqiu; Zhang, Milin; Wang, Guiling; Qiu, Min

doi:10.1007/s12613-020-2228-4

Cited by 30 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 141 publications

(71 reference statements)

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“…Understanding the properties of lanthanides in chloride melts is highly desirable for a variety of cases including fission products and the recovery of rare earth metals by molten salt electrolysis. − In addition, LaCl 3 has long been studied as a structural analogue to UCl 3 ,, and more experimental data exists for LaCl 3 than UCl 3 , partly due to its lower cost and ease of handling. Mixtures of LaCl 3 in alkali halides also serve as excellent surrogate systems for understanding UCl 3 fuel salt mixtures for molten salt nuclear reactors (MSRs). , Iwadate published an extensive review on the structure of molten salts and thoroughly discussed the state of the art at the time on MCl 3 -containing salts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

et al. 2022

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Lanthanides are important fission products in molten salt reactors, and understanding their structure and that of their mixtures is relevant to many scientific and technological problems including the recovery and separation of rare earth elements using molten salt electrolysis. The literature on molten salts and specifically on LaCl 3 and LaCl 3 −NaCl mixtures is often fragmented, with different experiments and simulations coinciding in their explanation for certain structural results but contradicting or questioning for others. Given the very practical importance that actinide and lanthanide salts have for energy applications, it is imperative to arrive at a clear unified picture of their local and intermediate-range structure in the neat molten state and when mixed with other salts. This article aims to unequivocally answer a set of specific questions: is it correct to think of long-lived octahedral coordination structures for La 3+ ? What is the nature as a function of temperature of networks and intermediate-range order particularly upon dilution of the trivalent ion salt? Is the so-called scattering first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) for neat LaCl 3 truly indicative of intermediate-range order? If so, why is there a new lower-q peak when mixed with NaCl? Are X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy results fully consistent and easily described by simulation results? We will show that answers to these questions require that we abandon the idea of a most prominent coordination state for M 3+ ions and instead think of multiple competing coordination states in exchange due to significant thermal energy in the molten state.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

et al. 2022

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“…It demonstrates truly extraordinary potential in rare earth element preparation methods. 8,9 In general, electrolytes used for molten salt electrolysis can be roughly classified into three categories: fluoride molten salt, chloride molten salt, and fluoride-chloride molten salt. 10,11 However, in practical production applications, the chloride system process generates chlorine gas, which is harmful to human health and the environment.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Behavior and Preparation of La–Ni Alloy in LaF₃–LiF-CaF₂-La₂O₃ Molten Salt on Nickel Electrode

Pan,

Yan,

Deng

et al. 2024

J. Phys. Chem. C

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Electrolyte is considered to be one of the key factors affecting electrolysis in the rare earth and their alloys industry. Generally, the fluoride system is chosen as the electrolyte for industrial production. However, the molten salt electrolysis method for fluoride-oxide systems is not well understood and has not been systematically studied at this stage. In order to supplement this part, lanthanum (La) ions have been chosen as the research object in this paper to systematically investigate the preparation of La−Ni alloy from LaF 3 −LiF-CaF 2 −La 2 O 3 molten salt. A series of electrochemical methods were used to investigate the mechanism and kinetic properties of La(III) reduction on W and Ni electrodes. The electrochemical reduction properties and kinetic parameters of La were obtained. La−Ni alloy was prepared by potentiostatic electrolysis, and it was verified by detailed analysis through characterization methods. On this basis, LaNi 5 intermetallic compound was successfully prepared on Ni electrode. This study provides valuable theoretical guidance for the development of La alloy preparation with fluoride salt systems in industry.

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“…Molten salts are prospective mediums for extractive metallurgy and metal separation because of their wide electrochemical window, low cost, and environmental friendliness. − In molten salt, electrochemical reactions can be used to break the chemical bonds or enable dissolution/deposition at a rapid rate because of the high temperature and corrosivity. − Zhong et al separated the components of aluminum alloys through an in situ anodic precipitation method in molten NaAlCl 4 , which was simple, fast, and efficient. Jiao et al efficiently separated and purified Ti from Cu–Ti alloys by selective electrochemical dissolution and deposition processes in NaCl–KCl melt at 750 °C.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repurposing Ni and Co from Alloy Scraps for the Synthesis of LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ Cathodes

Zhao

Chen

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Alloy scraps rich in cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) are essential materials for making lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The traditional methods for recycling Ni and Co from alloy scraps face several challenges such as the difficulty of pulverization, sluggish dissolution rate, and generation of secondary wastes. Here, a combined "electrochemical oxidation, sulfation roasting, and water leaching" method is employed to extract Ni and Co from alloy scraps for synthesizing LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 (NCM622) cathode material. The molten-salt electrochemical oxidation can convert alloy scraps into oxide powders without pulverization of the alloy scraps. The extraction rates of Ni and Co reach 95 and 93%, respectively. (Ni 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 )O 2 is prepared with the extracted Ni and Co sulfates as raw materials and shows an initial discharge capacity of 162.14 and 152.47 mAh g −1 , respectively, after 100 cycles.Overall, this paper offers a facial and green method to reclaim valuable metals from alloy scraps for energy-storage materials.

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Recovery and separation of rare earth elements by molten salt electrolysis

Cited by 30 publications

References 141 publications

Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Electrochemical Behavior and Preparation of La–Ni Alloy in LaF₃–LiF-CaF₂-La₂O₃ Molten Salt on Nickel Electrode

Repurposing Ni and Co from Alloy Scraps for the Synthesis of LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ Cathodes

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Recovery and separation of rare earth elements by molten salt electrolysis

Cited by 30 publications

References 141 publications

Complete Description of the LaCl3–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Complete Description of the LaCl3–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Electrochemical Behavior and Preparation of La–Ni Alloy in LaF3–LiF-CaF2-La2O3 Molten Salt on Nickel Electrode

Repurposing Ni and Co from Alloy Scraps for the Synthesis of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 Cathodes

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Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Complete Description of the LaCl₃–NaCl Melt Structure and the Concept of a Spacer Salt That Causes Structural Heterogeneity

Electrochemical Behavior and Preparation of La–Ni Alloy in LaF₃–LiF-CaF₂-La₂O₃ Molten Salt on Nickel Electrode

Repurposing Ni and Co from Alloy Scraps for the Synthesis of LiNi_0.6Co_0.2Mn_0.2O₂ Cathodes