Functional Materials for Separation and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals
A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 324
Special Issue Editors
2. Hebei Key Laboratory of Low Carbon and High Efficiency Power Generation Technology, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071003, China
Interests: catalytic technology for the capture of gaseous heavy metals; efficient transformation and resource utilization of solid waste
Interests: simultaneous removal and resource utilization in heavy metals from industrial production (Tl/As/Se/Hg0); catalytic technology for the capture of gaseous heavy metals; application of earth elements in catalytic technology for gaseous multipollutant emission control
2. Key Laboratory of Critical Metals Minerals Supernormal Enrichment and Extraction of Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
3. State Key Laboratory of Critical Metals Beneficiation, Metallurgy and Purification, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: critical metal recovery from low-grade ores; heavy metal pollution control
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Rare-earth elements (REEs) and some heavy metals are critical mineral resources for modern technologies, yet their extraction, use, and improper disposal pose significant environmental and health risks due to their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature. With the growing global demand for clean energy technologies (e.g., batteries, magnets, and solar energy) and the urgent need to mitigate environmental pollution, the development of advanced functional materials capable of selectively separating, recovering, storing, utilizing, and recovering these elements from complex matrices—such as industrial wastewater, flue gas, electronic waste, and mining effluents—has become a pressing priority. Addressing the dual challenges of resource scarcity and environmental contamination requires innovative solutions at the intersection of material science, environmental engineering, and circular economy principles.
In recent years, significant progress has been made in designing functional materials—including porous adsorbents, ion-imprinted polymers, catalytic membranes, and defect-engineered nanomaterials—that enhance the efficiency, selectivity, and reusability of separation processes.
Advanced characterization techniques and simulation methods (e.g., in situ spectroscopy, DFT simulations, machine learning) have deepened our understanding of mechanisms such as ion exchange, surface complexation, and redox-driven recovery. However, challenges remain in scaling these materials for industrial applications, optimizing their performance under real-world conditions (e.g., low concentrations, multi-component competition), and ensuring economic and environmental sustainability across their lifecycle.
The purpose of this Special Issue is to compile cutting-edge research that advances the science and engineering of functional materials for REE and heavy metal separation, recovery, storage, and utilization. We welcome contributions addressing functional material properties, mechanistic studies, process optimization, and case studies on resource recycling from secondary sources (e.g., end-of-life products and industrial sludges). Submissions may comprise original research articles, reviews, or perspectives that bridge fundamental discoveries and practical applications, ultimately fostering sustainable resource management and pollution control.
We look forward to receiving your innovative contributions to this critical field.
Dr. Yue Zhang
Dr. Jiaying Xing
Dr. Biao Fu
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- rare-earth element recovery
- heavy metal extraction and separation
- interface catalysis
- resource recycling
- selective redox
- functional material properties
- active site regulation
- flue gas treatment
- defect engineering
- circular economy
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