Recovery of an yttrium europium oxide phosphor from waste fluorescent tubes using a BrOnsted acidic ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate

摘要

BACKGROUNDSpent fluorescent lamps, classified as hazardous waste in the EU, are segregated at source. Processes for the recovery of critical rare-earth (RE) elements from the phosphor powder waste, however, often involve use of aggressive acid or alkali digestion, multi-stage separation procedures, and production of large aqueous waste streams which require further treatment.