This work focuses on novel acid-free dissolution recovery of high purity rare earth elements (REEs) from e-wastes. REEs are crucial for many applications including clean energy, transportation, high-tech devices, and advanced manufacturing. However economically viable REEs sources are limited. The current geographical distribution of REE production does not favor most countries. Considering the projected ~300% increase in REEs demand from 2010-2035,<sup>[1]</sup> supply disruptions can threaten national manufacturing and economic security. Any new technology with substantial critical REEs dependence can trigger supply disruptions and market instability that impact all users of these materials. The development of economical, efficient and safe recycling technologies can help to minimize the consequences of supply disruptions by reducing the burden on freshly-mined REOs.<br/>It is expected that recycling and recovery of REEs from sources such as electronic wastes could help to reduce the impact of any supply disruption from freshly mined materials. However, recycling rate is still low (less than 1%), mainly due to the low concentration of these REEs in products and the difficulty in developing profitable technologies. Typically, hydrometallurgical recycling processes rely on large amounts of strong mineral acids to dissolve and recover the REEs in their oxide forms. As result acid-contaminated wastes, which can harmfully impact the environment and limit technology adoption, are produced.<br/>Our new technology eliminates the use of acids whilst being efficient, fast and more environmentally friendly. As a result, REEs are recovered without the risks associated with acid-dissolution based technologies. To demonstrate the suitability of the recycled REE for remaking magnets, Nd-Pr metal ingot was made using the oxides recovered. The ingots were used to make permanent magnets with properties similar to the commercially available magnets.

Applying ‘green chemistry’ and ‘circular economy’ principles in recycling of rare earth elements from e-waste

2019 Spring National Meeting

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