Functional Materials for Separation and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements and Heavy Metals

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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