TITLE:
Characterization of Metallic Formation on Ion Exchange/Chelating Resins by Various Metal Groups and Extrapolation to Molecular Models
AUTHORS:
Sean Dudley, Recep Avci, William Gleason, William Hill, Jacob Howery, Miles Jaqua, Daisy Margrave
KEYWORDS:
Rare Earth, Recovery, Polymer, Modeling, Characterization
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.6 No.1,
January
29,
2018
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the metallic rare earth element (REE) formations that grow on ion exchange/chelating resins. Formation of these stabilized metallic structures leads to composite particle destruction and appears to be the result of the dynamic environment of the batch experimentation. Polymeric structure, electron availability, pH, kinetic factors, and the REE f-orbitals play significant roles in the formation of the organometallic framework. f-orbitals are largely still not understood to a great extent but this work serves to elucidate the larger role they may play in ligand interactions. Molecular modeling was utilized as a secondary component in investigating rare earth element (REE) deposition onto ion exchange/chelating resins. Modeling of the f-orbital frontier regions and the application of the HOMO-LUMO transition’s effect on molecular transfer and stability is discussed. Advanced metallic loading, in the manner of an organometallic structure, shows short-term stability resulting in particle destruction as increased REE is adsorbed.