Enhanced rare-earth separation with a metal-sensitive lanmodulin dimer.

Technologically critical rare-earth elements are notoriously difficult to separate, owing to their subtle differences in ionic radius and coordination number1-3. The natural lanthanide-binding protein lanmodulin (LanM)4,5 is a sustainable alternative to conventional solvent-extraction-based separation6. Here we characterize a new LanM, from Hansschlegelia quercus (Hans-LanM), with an oligomeric state sensitive to rare-earth ionic radius, the lanthanum(III)-induced dimer being >100-fold tighter than the dysprosium(III)-induced dimer. X-ray crystal structures illustrate how picometre-scale differences in radius between lanthanum(III) and dysprosium(III) are propagated to Hans-LanM's quaternary structure through a carboxylate shift that rearranges a second-sphere hydrogen-bonding network. Comparison to the prototypal LanM from Methylorubrum extorquens reveals distinct metal coordination strategies, rationalizing Hans-LanM's greater selectivity within the rare-earth elements. Finally, structure-guided mutagenesis of a key residue at the Hans-LanM dimer interface modulates dimerization in solution and enables single-stage, column-based separation of a neodymium(III)/dysprosium(III) mixture to >98% individual element purities. This work showcases the natural diversity of selective lanthanide recognition motifs, and it reveals rare-earth-sensitive dimerization as a biological principle by which to tune the performance of biomolecule-based separation processes.

Chromatographic behavior of six lanthanides on a centrifugal mixer-settler extractor cascade.

This work furthers the development of counter-current chromatography as an industrial separation process method. It was demonstrated that the industrial counter-current chromatography methods, in particular, for the separation groups of rare earth metals, can be implemented in a modified cascade of centrifugal mixer-settler extractors. The retention behavior of rare earth elements (samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and yttrium) on the pilot chromatographic unit consisting of 70 serially connected centrifugal mixer-settler extractors was experimentally studied under isocratic elution conditions using the mixture of 30 vol.% CyanexⓇ572 + 10 vol.% tributylphosphate in a hydrocarbon diluent as the stationary phase and aqueous nitric acid as the mobile phase. Theoretical analysis of experimental studies showed an acceptable agreement between the assumptions of the theory and experimental results.

Direct Recovery of the Rare Earth Elements Using a Silk Displaying a Metal-Recognizing Peptide.

Rare earth elements (RE) are indispensable metallic resources in the production of advanced materials; hence, a cost- and energy-effective recovery process is required to meet the rapidly increasing RE demand. Here, we propose an artificial RE recovery approach that uses a functional silk displaying a RE-recognizing peptide. Using the piggyBac system, we constructed a transgenic silkworm in which one or two copies of the gene coding for the RE-recognizing peptide (Lamp1) was fused with that of the fibroin L (FibL) protein. The purified FibL-Lamp1 fusion protein from the transgenic silkworm was able to recognize dysprosium (Dy3+), a RE, under physiological conditions. This method can also be used with silk from which sericin has been removed. Furthermore, the Dy-recovery ability of this silk was significantly improved by crushing the silk. Our simple approach is expected to facilitate the direct recovery of RE from an actual mixed solution of metal ions, such as seawater and industrial wastewater, under mild conditions without additional energy input.

High-resolution separation of neodymium and dysprosium ions utilizing extractant-impregnated graft-type particles.

An efficient method for rare metal recovery from environmental water and urban mines is in high demand. Toward rapid and high-resolution rare metal ion separation, a novel bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (HDEHP)-impregnated graft-type particle as a filler for a chromatography column is proposed. To achieve rapid and high-resolution separation, a convection-flow-aided elution mode is required. The combination of 35 µm non-porous particles and a polymer-brush-rich particle structure minimizes the distance from metal ion binding sites to the convection flow in the column, resulting in minimized diffusional mass transfer resistance and the convection-flow-aided elution mode. The HDEHP-impregnated graft-type non-porous-particle-packed cartridge developed in this study exhibited a higher separation performance for model rare metals, neodymium (III) and dysprosium (III) ions, and a narrower peak at a higher linear velocity, than those of previous HDEHP-impregnated fiber-packed and commercially available Lewatit® VP OC 1026-packed cartridges.

Dysprosium sorption by polymeric composite bead: robust parametric optimization using Taguchi method.

Polyethersulfone-based beads encapsulating di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid have been synthesized and evaluated for the recovery of rare earth values from the aqueous media. Percentage recovery and the sorption behavior of Dy(III) have been investigated under wide range of experimental parameters using these beads. Taguchi method utilizing L-18 orthogonal array has been adopted to identify the most influential process parameters responsible for higher degree of recovery with enhanced sorption of Dy(III) from chloride medium. Analysis of variance indicated that the feed concentration of Dy(III) is the most influential factor for equilibrium sorption capacity, whereas aqueous phase acidity influences the percentage recovery most. The presence of polyvinyl alcohol and multiwalled carbon nanotube modified the internal structure of the composite beads and resulted in uniform distribution of organic extractant inside polymeric matrix. The experiment performed under optimum process conditions as predicted by Taguchi method resulted in enhanced Dy(III) recovery and sorption capacity by polymeric beads with minimum standard deviation.

Capillary microextraction combined with fluorinating assisted electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry for the determination of trace lanthanum, europium, dysprosium and yttrium in human hair.

In this work, a congo red modified single wall carbon nanotubes (CR-SWCNTs) coated fused-silica capillary was prepared and used for capillary microextraction (CME) of trace amounts of lanthanum (La), europium (Eu), dysprosium (Dy) and yttrium (Y) in human hair followed by fluorinating assisted electrothermal vaporization-inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (FETV-ICP-OES) determination. The adsorption properties and stability of the prepared CR-SWCNTs coated capillary along with the various factors affecting the separation/preconcentration of La, Eu, Dy and Y by CME were investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, with a consumption of 2 mL sample solution, a theoretical enrichment factor of 50 and a detection limit (3σ) of 0.12 ng mL(-1) for La, 0.03 ng mL(-1) for Eu, 0.11 ng mL(-1) for Dy and 0.03 ng mL(-1) for Y were obtained, respectively. The preparation reproducibility of the CR-SWCNTs coated capillary was investigated and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were ranging from 4.1% (Eu) to 4.4% (La) (CLa, Dy=1.4 ng mL(-1); CY, Eu=0.25 ng mL(-1), n=7) in one batch, and from 5.7% (Eu) to 6.1% (Y) (CLa, Dy=1.4 ng mL(-1); CY, Eu=0.25 ng mL(-1), n=5) among different batches. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of real-world human hair sample and the recoveries for the spiked sample were in the range of 93-105%. The method was also applied to the determination of La, Eu, Dy and Y in Certified Reference Material of GBW07601 human hair, and the determined values were in good agreement with the certified values.

Homogeneous precipitation of Dy2O3 nanoparticles-effects of synthesis parameters.

The experimental parameters that control the size and size distribution of dysprosium oxide nanoparticles synthesized by homogeneous precipitation technique have been systematically investigated. The particles were characterized with respect to their size, shape, and thermal decomposition behavior. It was found that the precipitated particles were spherical, uniform in size, and amorphous, which upon heating in air, decomposed into the oxide form with no change in morphology. The size and size distribution of the particles showed strong dependence on the metal cation concentration ([Dy3+]) and weak dependence on urea concentration and aging time. In addition, the presence of chlorine ions (Cl-) was found to have significant effect on the growth and agglomeration of the particles. Aggregation mechanism as the growth mechanism is offered to explain the effects of these synthesis parameters on the morphology, size, and size distribution of dysprosium oxide particles.

Detailed study on simultaneous separation of rare earth elements by capillary electrophoresis.

Separation of all rare earth elements (REEs) by capillary zone electrophoresis was investigated in a system of alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as a main complex reagent and acetic acid (HAc) as an assistant complex reagent. In the combined system, ligand Ac- plays an important role in improving separation of Eu and Gd, and Y and Dy. The calculated ratio of Ac- to HIB- concentrations was compared and demonstrated that Eu and Gd, and Y and Dy tend to be separated at lower, and higher ratio of the two free ligands, respectively. An operational buffer system was developed for a complete separation of all REE ions.

[166Dy]Dy/166Ho hydroxide macroaggregates: an in vivo generator system for radiation synovectomy.

Radiation synovectomy is an effective treatment in patients suffering from inflammatory-rheumatoid and degenerative joint diseases. The aim of this work was to examine the feasibility of preparing dysprosium-166 (166Dy)/holmium-166(166Ho) hydroxide macroaggregates ([166Dy]Dy/166Ho-HM) as an in vivo generator for radiation synovectomy evaluating whether the stability of 166Dy-HM and 166Ho-HM complexes is maintained when the daughter 166Ho is formed. The Monte Carlo (MCNP4B) theoretical depth dose profile for the in vivo [166Dy]Dy/166Ho generator system in a joint model was calculated and compared with that produced by 90Y, 153Sm and 166Ho. 166Dy was obtained by neutron irradiation of enriched 164Dy2O3 in a Triga Mark III reactor. Macroaggregates were prepared by reaction of [166Dy]DyCl3 with 0.5 M NaOH in an ultrasonic bath. [166Dy]Dy/166Ho-HM was obtained with radiochemical purity >99.5% and with the majority of particles in the 2-5 microm range. In vitro studies demonstrated that the radio-macroaggregates are stable in saline solution and human serum without a significant change in the particle size over 14 d, suggesting that no translocation of the daughter nucleus occurs subsequent to beta- decay of 166Dy. Biological studies in normal rats demonstrated high retention in the knee joint even 7 d after [166Dy]Dy/166Ho-HM administration. The Monte Carlo (MCNP4B) theoretical depth dose profiles in a joint model, showed that the in vivo [166Dy]Dy/166Ho generator system would produce 25% and 50% less radiation dose to the articular cartilage and bone surface, respectively, than that produced by 90Y or pure 166Ho in a treatment with the same therapeutic dose to the synovium surface. Despite that 153Sm showed the best depth dose profile sparing doses to healthy tissues, the use of 166Dy could provide the advantage of being applied in patients that cannot be reached within a few hours from a nuclear reactor and to produce less radiation exposure to the medical personnel during the radiopharmaceutical administration.