Abstract
Deep treatment of wastewater containing low concentration rare earth
elements (REEs) is significant for environmental remedy and full
utilization of resources. Effective extraction of such system at a high
phase ratio remains challenging. A new strategy is proposed to perform
the highly efficient extraction by using the paramagnetic Janus particle
(PJP) as the functional solid surfactant. A larger interface area is
provided by forming the emulsion in the presence of PJP, facilitating a
faster mass transfer. The ion contained extractant emulsion droplets
stabilized with the PJP can be easily collected from the aqueous phase
with a magnet. Taking neodymium (Nd3+) contained aqueous solution (100
ppm) as the model of low concentration wastewater, a high extraction
efficiency over 99% can be achieved within a short time. The PJP can be
easily isolated from the extractant by using a stronger magnet, which
can preserve the same capability as the original one.