The Elusive Nature of Rare Earth Elements: Unraveling the Mystery

2023-10-02 18:34:25

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Why are rare earth elements so rare?

Rare earth elements are highly sought after by the tech and energy industries due to their useful properties. This collection of 17 metals, including neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium, act as superstrong miniaturized magnets in electronics like smartphones, electric car batteries, and wind turbines. However, their limited global supply is a concern for governments and corporations.

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Contrary to their name, rare earth elements are not actually that rare. A study by the U.S. Geological Survey found that they are in the same order of magnitude as common metals like copper and zinc. They are not as rare as metals like silver, gold, and platinum.

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The challenge of extracting rare earth elements

The concentration of rare earth elements is not high in one place, making mining for these materials inefficient. The unusual chemistry of these elements prevents them from collecting together in concentrated deposits like other metals.

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Obtaining pure metal from rare earth ores is a complex process. These metals form strong ionic bonds with phosphate counterions and breaking these bonds requires a lot of energy and chemical intensity. The extraction process involves aggressive conditions, low pH, and high temperatures due to the strength of the bonds.

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Researchers are exploring methods to recycle and extract rare earth elements from old electronics and industrial wastes to alleviate the pressure on current supplies. Some are also attempting to reproduce the magnetic and electronic properties of these elements in new compounds.

For now, there is no substitute for rare earth elements, despite the increasing demand.

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