An Irish team of scientists uses eggshells to extract rare earths, essential materials for sustainability.
Researchers from Trinity College, University of Dublin, have revealed a revolutionary method to facilitate the extraction of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) using eggshells. These elements are crucial for the production of sustainable technologies, such as hybrid and electric cars. The study highlights the simplicity and efficiency of the process, potentially reducing costs and environmental impacts in obtaining these essential materials. Check out how the extraction of rare earths from eggshells works.
Understand how researchers are using eggshells to extract rare earths
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Despite the name, ETRs are not exactly rare, but they are usually found in very low concentrations and combined with other ores. The process of extraction It is very complicated and expensive, in addition to generating a large volume of waste and consuming a lot of energy and water.
This could simply be the precursor to a new, more environmentally friendly form of extraction, especially compared to the intensive mining processes currently required to extract them from geological layers. In the study using eggshells to extract rare earths, chicken egg waste was mixed with a rare earth solution and heated between 25°C and 205°C for about three months.
The Dublin scientists noticed that, by the end of the period, the rare earths had spread through the eggshells, extending into the calcium carbonate (calcite) and organic matrix.
The results varied according to the temperatures of the experiment: at 90 °C, neodymium (Nd) formed on the surface of the dissolving calcite. At 165 °C and 205 °C, the calcite completely dissolved, and at 205 °C the neodymium was replaced by bastnasite, normally used in extraction of rare earths for technological applications.
Researchers comment on the use of eggshells to extract rare earths
It is important to mention that the tests were carried out in collaboration between professionals from iCRAG, Science Foundation Ireland and the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin and the team published their findings in ACS Omega. The article explains that the use of calcium carbide (calcite) present in eggshells can successfully absorb and separate REEs from water.
The co-author of the study that uses eggshells to extract rare earths, Prof. Juan Diego Rodríguez-Blanco, states that by transforming this eggshell waste into a valuable resource for rare earth recovery, it addresses critical environmental concerns associated with traditional extraction methods and contributes to the development of greener technologies.
According to Diego, throwing away eggshells may not be a good idea, as this study shows their value as potentially 'green' in obtaining more ETRs that will be sought after with the growing energy transition.
Eggshell gains new fronts in the technology industry
In addition to this study into the use of eggshells to extract rare earths, other researchers are pursuing consistent efforts to find more efficient and sustainable solutions for energy storage.
Recently, a significant breakthrough was launched with the discovery that chicken eggshells can play an essential role in the development of Batteries rechargeable. This innovation promises not only greater safety and sustainability, but also a reduction in associated costs, as revealed by recent studies in the area.
Murdoch University Associate Professor Manicham Minakshi Sundaram, from the Harry Butler Institute's Center for Water, Energy and Waste, has successfully developed a new mechanism coupled with electrode and electrolyte materials, delivering an alternative to expensive and impractical storage technologies of energy from the past and present.