The scientific team led by Dr. Miloslav Polášek at IOCB Prague has come up with a technique to separate and purify rare earth elements (lanthanides). These are critical to industries ranging from electronics and medicine to automotive and defense. This novel method enables the extraction of metals like neodymium and dysprosium from used neodymium magnets. It is an important component in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Eco-Friendly and Solvent-Free Process

Unlike conventional methods that rely on harsh chemicals and generate hazardous waste, this innovative process separates rare earths using only water which is completely free from organic solvents or toxic substances. The research was recently published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS).

• Neodymium magnets are central to converting motion into electrical energy and vice versa.
• These magnets are indispensable for producing electric cars, wind turbines, mobile phones, computers, and data centers.
• As these technologies advance, the demand for rare earth elements is expected to grow exponentially.

Yet, traditional mining and refining of rare earths are both energy-intensive and environmentally damaging, producing toxic and radioactive byproducts.

Strategic Advantage of Urban Mining

Currently, China dominates the rare-earth market. It has a significant influence over Europe and North America. In this context, urban mining of recycling rare earths from used electronics and electric vehicles presents a strategic opportunity to build a more self-reliant supply chain.

“In the future, we won’t be able to cover the growing consumption of rare earths with primary mining. We know that within ten years at the latest, it will be necessary to manage these materials more carefully. In order to achieve this, the development of new technologies must start now,” explains Miloslav Polášek, head of the Coordination Chemistry group.

“Our method solves the fundamental problems of recycling neodymium magnets. We can separate the right elements so that new magnets can be produced. Our process is environmentally friendly, and we believe that it will work on an industrial scale. Fortunately, unlike plastics, chemical elements don’t lose their properties through repeated processing, so their recycling is sustainable and can compensate for traditional mining.”

The Science Behind the Separation

The research also contributes to the doctoral work of Kelsea G. Jones, who elaborates on the scientific breakthrough:

“We’ve developed a new type of chelator, which is a molecule that binds metal ions. This chelator specifically precipitates neodymium from dissolved magnets, while dysprosium remains in solution, and the elements are easily separated from each other. The method is also adaptable for the other rare earths found in neodymium magnets,” says Jones.

“The separation is done in water and generates no hazardous waste. We achieve the same or better results than current industrial methods that rely on organic solvents and toxic reagents.”

The new method has been patented and is now under review for real-world implementation.

“We’re impatiently awaiting the results of a feasibility study, which will help us direct this research from the laboratory into practice. I believe that in cooperation with the investors and business partners we’re approaching, this new technology from IOCB Prague has the potential to influence a wide range of industrial sectors,” says Milan Prášil, director of the transfer company IOCB Tech.

During their research, the team made another important discovery: holmium, a lesser-known rare earth, is now being used in neodymium magnets found in the motors of modern electric vehicles. This was confirmed through analysis of European and Chinese electric cars.

Despite its presence, holmium is largely overlooked in existing recycling literature and industry practices. This insight could significantly impact future recycling strategies, especially in the growing electric vehicle sector.

IOCB Prague (Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences) – It’s a recognized research institute focused on basic research in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and other related fields. Its interdisciplinary approach drives practical applications across medicine, pharmacy, and other scientific areas.

IOCB Prague / Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (www.uochb.cz) is a leading internationally recognized scientific institution. An integral part of the IOCB Prague’s mission is the implementation of the results of basic research in practice. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research gives rise to a wide range of applications in medicine, pharmacy, and other fields.

Original Publication
Authors: Kelsea G. Jones, Tomáš David, Martin Loula, Stanislava Matějková, Jan Blahut, Anatolij Filimoněnko, Miroslava Litecká, Jan Rohlíček, Jiří Böserle and Miloslav Polasek.
Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5c04150
Method of Research: Experimental study
Article Title: Macrocyclic Chelators for Aqueous Lanthanide Separations via Precipitation: Toward Sustainable Recycling of Rare-Earths from NdFeB Magnets
Article Publication Date: 19-Jun-2025

Original Source: https://www.uochb.cz/en/news/719/a-unique-method-of-rare-earth-recycling-can-strengthen-the-raw-material-independence-of-europe-and-america

Source: EurekAlert!