abstract
This study explores the use of manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MnFe2O4) for the removal and recovery of neodymium (Nd) from aqueous solutions, focusing on their potential application in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation. Neodymium, a critical element for the high-technology and energy industries, is increasingly present in aquatic environments due to its widespread use in devices such as computers, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. Through a series of kinetic, equilibrium, and desorption tests, the study optimized key operational parameters using Response Surface Methodology. Equilibrium analyses revealed that the Nd removal at equilibrium (qe) reached 8 mg/g, while the maximum sorption capacity (qm) was determined to be 9.2 mg/g. The results demonstrated a high removal efficiency (up to 90 %) under optimal conditions, which included a nanoparticle dose of 1000 mg/L, an initial neodymium concentration of 20 mu mol/L, pH 6, and no salinity. The material showed great potential for neodymium recovery from synthetic magnet solutions, with removal rates exceeding 70 %. Desorption tests confirmed complete recyclability of the sorbent. These findings highlight manganese ferrite nanoparticles as a promising and sustainable approach for neodymium recovery.
keywords
RARE-EARTH-ELEMENTS; EFFICIENT REMOVAL; AQUEOUS-SOLUTION; WASTE-WATER; II IONS; ADSORPTION; MODELS; LEAD
subject category
Engineering; Water Resources
authors
Sousa, J; Tavares, DS; Pinto, J; Henriques, B; Rocha, J; Trindade, T; Lapa, N; Pereira, E
our authors
Daniela Soraia dos Santos Tavares
PhD Student
João Pedro Dias Pinto
Junior Researcher
João Rocha
Full Professor
Tito Trindade
Full professoracknowledgements
This work received financial support from PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia and Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through the CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020 and UIDP/50011/2020) , and REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020) .