Poly(ether-phosphoramide) Polymer for Rare Earth Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting rare earths from aqueous media are inefficient and environmentally harmful due to their reliance on organic solvents.
Innovation Solution
A polymer from the poly(ether-phosphoramide) family with a specific structure, which has a high affinity for rare earths such as lanthanum and cerium, is used in a solid-phase extraction process. This polymer is either used in powder form or integrated into a composite material on a solid support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid-liquid extraction technique using organic solvents is used, then extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and solvent disposal problems worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the phase parameter of the extraction system from liquid-liquid to solid-liquid by using a polymer in aqueous phase instead of organic solvents, maintaining extraction efficiency while eliminating environmental harm associated with organic solvent disposal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite polymer material with specific functional groups (phosphoramide, ether) that combines high extraction efficiency for rare earth elements with environmental compatibility, replacing the need for harmful organic solvents
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid-liquid extraction techniques are used to avoid organic solvents, then environmental harm is reduced, but extraction performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces specific functional groups (phosphoramide and ether groups) at local sites on the polymer chain that have high affinity for rare earth elements, enabling solid-liquid extraction to achieve performance comparable to or exceeding liquid-liquid extraction methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters including polymer molecular weight, functional group density, and aqueous phase composition to maximize extraction performance while maintaining the environmental benefits of solvent-free operation
3Productivity
If polymer with high rare earth affinity is used, then extraction rate is improved, but polymer structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer structure incorporates multiple functional groups (phosphoramide and ether) that work synergistically to provide high extraction rate for multiple rare earth elements simultaneously, achieving universal applicability without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention places specific functional groups at strategic positions along the polymer chain to maximize their interaction with rare earth ions while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of synthesis
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer achieves a high extraction rate of rare earths from liquid media, with reversible adsorption and simple desorption in the aqueous phase, thereby overcoming the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
The adsorption of rare earths on this polymer is also reversible
Implementation Method 2
a polymer of specific structure, from the poly(ether-phosphoramide) family, which has a particularly high affinity for rare earths
Implementation Method 3
The adsorption of rare earths on this polymer is also reversible, and their desorption is simple to carry out
Data Source
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Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a poly(ether-phosphoramide) polymer, a repeating unit of which comprises an isosorbide unit and a phosphoramide function, and which has a high affinity for rare earths, in particular lanthanum and cerium. This polymer is particularly useful for carrying out the extraction of a rare earth from an aqueous liquid medium containing it, such as a mining effluent, by a solid-liquid extraction method.