Methods and opportunities in the recycling of rare earth based materials

摘要

Rare Earth based materials are increasingly being utilized in industrial and commercial practice. Large volume production of permanent magnet materials, Nd(sub 2)Fe(sub 14)B, SmCo(sub 5), Sm(sub 2)Co(sub 17), and rechargeable Ni/Metal Hydride batteries, LaNi(sub 5), has increased the amount of rare earth based materials in the waste stream. Both for economic and environmental reasons, recycling and reuse of all materials is desirable. Unfortunately, the recycling methodology for these materials is in its infancy. In this paper the present (open quotes)state of the art(close quotes), in recycling of rare earth based materials will be discussed. Additionally, new methods which alleviate many of the concerns of present aqueous based recycling technology will be presented.