Perspective—Is Sustainable Electrowinning of Neodymium Metal Achievable?

Akolkar, Rohan

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac6075

Perspective—Is Sustainable Electrowinning of Neodymium Metal Achievable?

Journal Article · Mon Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac6075· OSTI ID:1860990

Rare–earth metals such as neodymium are central to numerous technologically important applications such as electrified transportation, renewable energy harvesting, and magnetic data storage. Presently, neodymium metal is produced via electrolysis of Nd ₂ O ₃ –containing NdF ₃ –LiF molten salts at high temperatures. However, this conventional electrolytic route has several drawbacks including emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO ₂ and perfluorocarbons, which are harmful to the environment. In this perspective, an alternate concept based on electrolysis of NdCl ₃ –containing chloride–based molten salts is explored and its potential advantages are discussed. Notably, NdCl ₃ can be obtained via direct non–carbothermic chlorination of Nd ₂ O ₃ , supported by thermodynamic calculations and experimental evidence from literature. The chloride–based molten salt electrolysis route also offers the possibility of incorporating a non–consumable or dimensionally stable anode leading to reduced electrical energy consumption, stable cell operation and ease of process scalability.

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Research Organization:: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Office (AMMTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009434

OSTI ID:: 1860990

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2376661
OSTI ID: 1856285
OSTI ID: 1980876

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 169; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: The Electrochemical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Perspective—Is Sustainable Electrowinning of Neodymium Metal Achievable?

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