Description:
Project ID: D2022-17
Background
Rare earth elements (REEs), such as neodymium, europium, dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium, are sometimes referred to as the “vitamins of modern industry” due to their frequent use in high-tech applications. They are used in fiber optics to carry internet traffic, making gasoline from petroleum, and in items like magnets and lasers. China dominates over 85% of the global production of REEs from primary sources. There is interest in extracting REEs from secondary sources, but current sorbents are often not cost-effective or require methods that are not environmentally friendly. Therefore, there is a need for better materials and methods to recover REEs.
Invention Description
Investigators at the University of Toledo created a sorbent for solid-phase extraction with improved selectivity for REEs. Caffeic acid (CA, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in coffee, fruits, and vegetables. It is more eco-friendly and the polymer of caffeic acid is easier to produce than current solutions. Metal coordination is achieved through highly oxygenated and functional moieties, such as catechol, carboxylate, and C=C groups. Utilizing an ethylenediamine crosslinker, a caffeic acid polymer is formed and can be used as a standalone sorbent.
Applications
-Removal and recovery of REEs
-Evaluate potential sources for the presence of REEs
Advantages
- Standalone polymer; no solid support required.
- Granular and air stable
- Easy to prepare
- Minimizes of hazardous and expensive reagents during extraction steps
- Eco-friendly, low cost and readily available monomer
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IP Status: Patent pending