Within the EU Horizon 2020 REMAGHIC project, SIM² KU Leuven developed a novel process to recover rare earths (REEs) from lamp phosphor waste by dissolution in concentrated methanesulphonic acid (MSA), which is a green solvent.
In the context of the EU Horizon 2020 MSCA-ETN REDMUD project, an international team of researchers have published one of the most detailed ever characterisation studies of the occurrence of scandium in Greek bauxite (residue).
In collaboration with Umicore, SIM² KU Leuven researchers investigated the thermal stability of the ionic liquid Cyphos IL 101 under various experimental conditions. The work was published in the journal Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
In the framework of the ERC SOLCRIMET project SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a versatile procedure to prepare phosphinate and phosphonate compounds, which are instrumental as solvent extraction reagents for multiple metals.
Together with Umicore SIM² KU Leuven researchers have developed a new process to purify crude indium(III) hydroxide, In(OH)3, using a combined leaching/extraction system exploiting the properties of the ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N].
In the framework of the ERC SOLCRIMET project KU Leuven researchers have found that replacement of water by ethylene glycol provides enhanced selectivity in the solvent extraction of transitions metals from rare earth elements.
This new RSC Advances paper demonstrates the effectiveness of a novel supported ionic liquid phase (SILP) for the uptake of REEs (Sc, Y, Nd, Dy) in the presence of base elements (Ca, Al, Fe) from bauxite residue (BR) leachates.
This new Hydrometallurgy paper by Kumar Batchu and Binnemans studies the effect of the diluent) on the solvent extraction of Nd using D2EHPA as extractant. Studied diluents varied from aliphatic, aliphatic-aromatic to aromatic.
Following their previous work on the rare-earth Balance Problem, Prof. Binnemans et al. have published a new (Golden Access) review paper in the Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy. The paper has been downloaded > 1,000 times.
Ionic liquids (ILs) are widely studied to recover metals from ores or end-of-life products, but not above 100 °C and atmospheric pressure. Here the IL [Hbet][Tf2N] was used dry to leach NdFeB magnets and scrap at high temperature.
KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals – Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 – Leuven 3001, Belgium
SIM² KU Leuven is the new KU Leuven Institute on Sustainable Metals and Minerals, one of the flagship KU Leuven Institutes. SIM² mission is to develop, organise and implement problem-driven, science-deep research and future-oriented education, contributing to the environmentally friendly production and recycling of metals, minerals and engineered materials, supporting the transition to a climate-friendly, circular-economy.