Recovery of Critical Rare Earth Elements for Green Energy Technologies

Abstract

21st century is electronic revolution in human lives as well as energy is a one of the most significant task. Rare earth elements (REEs) occupies key role in our daily life as well as high-tech industrial applications. REEs are one of the energy critical elements, for sustainable growth, it depends on their utilization and re-use, reduce, recycling policy employments. The rapid growth of population and their needs will raise the demand of certain REEs. Global wide REE deposits mainly located at China, from 2010 onwards China made policy to control exports of REE’s to foreign countries. REEs are utilized in many modern electrical and electronic devices such as smart phones, computers, LED lights etc. Recovery of the REEs from secondary resources is one of the best solution and alternative option, it needs co-ordination between nations as well as sustainable environmental regulations and implications and certain education to undeveloped countries. As per the Department of Energy (DoE), US the following rare earth elements (REEs) were under critical situation: Dy, Y, Nd, Tb, Eu, in another two namely Ce and Te under near to critical matrix. It shows that REEs scarcity for industry as well as sustainable developments is growing fast. As well as REEs are used in clean energy and defense technologies. As well as REEs predicted shortfall (million US $) are as follows: Y-85, Dy-22, Er-12 and Tb-7 etc. Green energy technologies should have high efficiency, clean and renewable and carbon-di-oxide emissions under control.