Selective separation and crystal characterization of RE‐phases from RE‐bearing slag systems: Calcium cerite and cefluosil

Abstract

AbstractThe industrial RE‐bearing (rare‐earth‐bearing) slag has a considerable concentration of rare‐earth elements (REEs), so the recovery of REEs resources from these systems has attracted widespread attention. However, the basic data of RE phases is seriously lacked and divergent, which greatly limits the efficient utilization. In this study, in situ separation of RE phases from RE‐bearing slag systems was conducted via super gravity, and the high‐purity crystals of calcium cerite (CaO: 13.53 wt.%, SiO2: 26.02 wt.%, Ce2O3: 65.45 wt.%) and cefluosil (CaO: 14.67 wt.%, SiO2: 22.14 wt.%, CaF2: 2.64 wt.%, Ce2O3: 67.23 wt.%) were selectively separated from the CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 and CaO–SiO2–CaF2–Ce2O3 systems with the high REEs recovery percentages of 96.10% and 98.23%, respectively. Based on the characterization of high‐purity calcium cerite and cefluosil crystals, the chemical formula, crystal structure, and Rietveld refinement were characterized, and the data has been assigned the deposition numbers of 2130965 and 2142394 in CCDC database. This study supplements the lack of basic data of RE crystals and provides theoretical reference and guidance for the utilization of RE‐bearing slag systems.