Why Lanthanides? Α Brief Synopsis

Johna Leddy; Bill Leddy

doi:10.1149/MA2025-02612848mtgabs

Lanthanides are critical materials [1] with applications in advanced materials and technologies. Many of the chemical and physical properties of the lanthanides (LNs) are not distinct across the fifteen rare earth elements. This includes sizes, charges, standard potentials, and ligand binding affinities. The similar physical and chemical properties make separations of lanthanides from lanthanides challenging. What is distinct across the lanthanides is the number of electrons m and the number of unpaired electrons in the seven 4f orbitals. Many of the technologically interesting and distinct properties of LNs arise through 4f m electrons. This includes magnetism, ion color, optical properties, and electron transfer rates. Advanced materials and technologies reliant on LNs include electronics, high field permanent magnets, lasers, medical diagnostics, glasses, ceramics, metallurgy, lighting, computing and data storage, phosphors, and batteries. Technologies of wind turbines, efficient lighting, electric vehicles, and electronics such as cell phones and displays rely uniquely on lanthanides. Although not extensively studied, LNs may provide opportunities to select efficient earth abundant electrocatalysts, tailored to specific reactions. . Lanthanides are not rare, with abundances comparable to transition metals. Purification of lanthanides is however energy and time intensive because few properties are distinct across the lanthanides. As a result, ~70 % of lanthanides are sourced from China. Because of possible supply disruption, lanthanides are critical materials.[1] With better, reliable access to higher purity lanthanides, advanced technologies and materials can be improved and new advances proposed and evaluated. The U.S. government projects growth for lanthanides to increase 2 ~ 4x over the next 10 years. A large driver of this demand is due to the adoption of electric vehicles for transportation and increased adoption of larger and taller wind turbines for clean energy generation. Permanent magnets will be a substantial driver of increased demand, focused on Nd, Dy, Pr, and Tb. Increased availability of other rare earth elements at higher purity and lower prices will lead to adoption in new applications. This presentation briefly reviews lanthanides for importance in technological and materials, the unique chemical and physical properties of lanthanides that are the foundation for advanced technologies, purification challenges, costs, and status as critical materials. Reference [1] Department of Energy, Critical Materials Rare Earths Supply Chain: A Situational White Paper , S. Buchanan, 2020, www.energy.gov/eere/amo/downloads/critical-materials-supply-chain-white-paper-april-2020.

Why Lanthanides? Α Brief Synopsis

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