Extraction and Recycling of Critical Metals
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Metals and Alloys".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The sustainable extraction and recycling of critical metals have become increasingly vital in materials science, driven by the growing demand for advanced functional materials in energy storage, electronics, and high-performance alloys. Recent developments in materials design and processing—including novel adsorbents, selective membranes, catalytic surfaces, and electrochemical interfaces—are creating new opportunities to improve the efficiency and selectivity of metal recovery systems at both microscopic and macroscopic scales.
This Special Issue aims to highlight materials-focused innovations in the extraction and recycling of critical metals (including REEs, rare metals, scattered metals, and rare precious metals), with particular emphasis on the following:
- Advanced materials for metal recovery: Novel adsorbents, membranes, catalysts, and electrode materials with enhanced selectivity and capacity;
- Materials processing techniques: Innovative approaches in hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processing of metal-bearing materials;
- Microstructural characterization: Fundamental studies of metal–material interactions, interface phenomena, and phase transformations;
- Materials design for recyclability: Development of easily separable composites, degradable coatings, and recycling-friendly material systems;
- Performance evaluation: Durability and lifecycle assessment of recycled metal-containing materials.
We welcome contributions that address the materials science aspects of critical metal recovery through original research articles, communications, and comprehensive reviews. All submissions should maintain a clear focus on material structure–property relationships, novel material systems, or materials processing techniques relevant to metal extraction and recycling.
Prof. Dr. Jianxun Song
Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Jianxun Song
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Extraction
- Separation
- Refining
- Recycling
- Critical Metals
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