<br/>Electrodeposition of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) as a means of recycling REEs was investigated. Rare earth elements are the key components found in magnets, electronics, and sustainable energy equipment; therefore, these elements are currently in high demand. The predominant, industrially-practiced technique for making high-purity metallic rare earth components is molten-salt electrolysis. Modern molten-salt electrochemical reduction processes used for synthesizing high-purity lanthanide metals requires high temperatures (&gt;900 °C) and an abundance of caustic chemical salts to perform reduction from the Ln+3 to Ln0 metallic state. The molten-salt process consumes significant energy and produces large amounts of waste, which contributes the majority of the cost of the refined product. Domestically, there is no refining technology that meets EPA standards; thus, a new technology is being pursued to bring back REE metal conversion technology to the US.<br/><br/>Neat room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are being investigated as a safe alternative electrolyte medium for the electrodeposition of REEs. However, the viscous nature of RTILs leads to many inefficiencies in the electrodeposition process. The following physicochemical properties were measured as a function of temperature: viscosity, conductivity, and density. Baseline experiments for electrochemical conversion of REE in neat n-methyl-n-propyl piperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide were conducted. Upon completion of these experiments, RTILs were augmented to increase conductivity, metal diffusion, and metal loading capacity, while reducing viscosity. In this study the effects of the augmentation of RTILs through the addition of organic additives was investigated. Results presented will demonstrate a new means for producing rare earth metals; a vital part of the REE supply chain.

Electrochemical production of rare earth metals using room temperature ionic liquids

2019 Spring National Meeting

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