Recovery of Rare Earth Sulfate Hydrates Using Antisolvent Crystallization

Rare earth elementsRare earth elements (REE) are recognized as critical raw materials because of their crucial role in vital components of numerous green and high-tech applications. In the present study, antisolventAntisolvent crystallizationCrystallization of REE sulfate hydrates of industrial interest (Nd (III), Pr (III), and Dy (III)) from sulfuric acid solutions by the addition of ethanol has been studied. CrystallizationCrystallization of REEs in the presence of Fe (II) and Fe (III) as major impurities along with Al (III), Cu (II), Co (II), and B (III) as trace elements is investigated. The incorporation of impurities and its effect on the growing REE phase is examined. The effect of controlled supersaturationSupersaturation generation rate on the product quality (e.g. purityPurity) and crystal phase is investigated. The solid phases are characterized using optical microscopy, SEM–EDX, powder-XRD, and ICP-OES. The findings can offer significant insights to understand and optimize the recoveryRecovery of REEs from leach liquor in the recyclingRecycling of magnet waste.