芝加哥大学分子工程学院、西北大学和阿贡国家实验室的研究团队联合开发了一种新型稀土元素分离技术[1]。该方法基于锰氧化物层状材料，通过原子级通道进行分离，无需传统的有毒化学物质，环保性更强且具有工业应用前景[1]。
这项研究首次利用电化学插层和材料的结构特性分离相似的镧系元素[1]。分离过程在水溶液中进行，不使用有机溶剂[1]。通过添加镁离子作为支架，钕对镧的富集倍数从1.6倍提升到5.4倍[1]。经过两个循环的纯化，钕样品纯度可达到97%[1]。
研究成果已发表于《自然化学工程》期刊，芝加哥大学助理教授Chong Liu为论文高级作者[1]。稀土元素包括15种镧系元素，以及钪和钇[1]。
Researchers from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, in collaboration with Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory, have developed a novel method for separating rare earth elements using a layered manganese oxide material with atomic-scale channels [1]. The technique eliminates the need for toxic chemicals traditionally used in rare earth processing, offering a more environmentally sustainable approach with potential for industrial deployment [1].
The breakthrough leverages electrochemical intercalation and structural properties to separate similar lanthanide elements for the first time [1]. The separation process occurs in aqueous solution without organic solvents [1]. By introducing magnesium ions as a structural scaffold, the team increased the enrichment factor of neodymium over lanthanum from 1.6-fold to 5.4-fold [1]. After two purification cycles, neodymium samples achieved 97% purity [1].
Chong Liu, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, served as senior author on the study, published in Nature Chemical Engineering on July 21, 2026 [1]. Rare earth elements encompass the 15 lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium [1].