Neodymium distribution ratios

There are two apparent artifacts in this correlation. First, one would not expect based on these arguments that the acidic phosphoric acid esters HDOP, HDBP, and HDEH P (bars U, V, and W) would demonstrate as great a selectivity for europium as is observed. Similarly, there is no apparent reason for the enhanced selectivity demonstrated by 100% TBP for americium for extraction from 13 M HNOj (bar G). In the case of the phosphoric-acid extractants, the apparent anomaly is a manifestation of the steep slope of the linear relationship between distribution ratios and atomic number (cation radii) as shown in figs. 4 and 5, and a mismatch of the ionic radii of americium and europium. It is generally believed that the cation radius of americium is more nearly comparable to that of promethium or neodymium than europium (see table 1). The logSi J calculated from the the same data is —0.35. 

In. he industrial processes for the production of polybutadiene with Ti, Co, or Ni catalysts it can be controlled to only a very small extent. In comparison with the commercially available polybutadienes, SE-BR (SE stands for Seltene Erden, which means rare earths) has a broader molecular- weight distribution, which can be altered, however, by varying the ratio of Lewis acid to neodymium. Table II shows that an increase of this ratio from 0.8 to 2.0 increases the molecular weight distribution from 7 (which is close to that of Ni-BR) to 27. 

REEs are classified as lithophiles and are partitioned into the earth s crust and mantle. The name rare earths originated over a century ago when the elements were first identified in minerals that, at the time, were rare. The elements are actually distributed widely over the earth and relatively accessible on the earth s surface. For a comprehensive description of REE geology, geochemistry, and natural abundances, see Geology, Geochemistry, and Natural Abundances of the Rare Earth Elements. In 2010, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that there were REE reserves of 110 million metric tons (mt). The static depletion index, the ratio of reserves to present-day production, for REEs is approximately 870 years. Thus, the primary immediate consideration is whether REE production can match demand, and particularly whether it will be possible to increase the use of dysprosium and neodymium in wind turbines and the batteries of electric vehicles. 

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