Characteristics of Precipitation of Rare Earth Elements with Various Precipitants

Abstract

The effective and selective leaching of rare earth elements (REEs) from various sources is frequently possible in practice by adopting a carefully coordinated strategy incorporating a selective precipitation of these elements from undesired ones in solution. In this study, the behavior of chemical precipitation of REEs with commonly used precipitants such as sulfate, carbonate, fluoride, phosphate, and oxalate was examined using thermodynamic principles and calculations. It was found that the pH of the system has a profound effect on determining particular chemical species of precipitants, which are subsequently responsible for the precipitation of REEs. The role of various anions such as Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− derived from the acid used in the leaching process on the precipitation behavior of REEs was examined. These anions form complexes with REEs and display a very positive effect on the precipitation behavior. The nitrate environment exhibits most conducive to precipitation followed by sulfate and then chloride.