LTA zeolite particles functionalized with nanomagnetite for effective recovery of dysprosium from liquid solutions

Rare earth elements (REEs) as Dysprosium (Dy) are critical elements for the fabrication of components in many green energy technologies, from electric vehicles to wind turbines. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in creating sustainable and effective materials for the recovery and recycling of these elements. Zeolite materials have demonstrated a high affinity and selectivity for REEs. Thus, this paper aims to study the use of a synthetic LTA zeolite functionalized with nanomagnetite for Dy absorption, including a complete characterization of the synthetic zeolite, the kinetics and the factors affecting the adsorption efficiency. The maximum adsorption capacity reaches a value around 35 mg of Dy per gram of zeolite. The results from the adsorption isotherms and kinetic study revealed a good agreement with both Langmuir and Temkin models and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Furthermore, the thermodynamic analysis suggests that the adsorption of Dy onto the zeolite is a spontaneous and favorable process. The findings from this work could provide insights into the design and optimization of zeolite-based processes for REE recovery and recycling, contributing to the development of a more sustainable and circular economy.