Efficient Extraction, Separation and Purification of Critical Metal Resources

Dear Colleagues,

Critical metals—including rare earth elements, dispersed (or scattered) metals, and precious rare metals—are indispensable to strategic emerging industries such as new energy and electronics. However, these resources are subject to considerable supply risks and therefore demand heightened attention and protection. Advancing technologies in mineral processing, green extraction, efficient separation, and high-purity preparation of critical metals are vital to improving resource utilization efficiency. These innovations are key to meeting the stringent requirements of high-end applications, including next-generation energy systems and national defense, while ensuring long-term sustainability. In the context of global carbon reduction goals, the development of green, efficient, and environmentally friendly processing technologies has become a research priority in this field.

We cordially invite you to submit your original research articles, communications, or reviews to this Special Issue, which focuses on the efficient extraction, separation, and purification of critical metal resources. Your contributions will play an important role in advancing the science and technology that underpin sustainable and resilient supply chains of critical metals.

Prof. Dr. Meng Li
Dr. Ying Zhang
Dr. Zepeng Lv
Guest Editors

Dr. Fanfan Zhang
Dr. Yun Liu
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Separations is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.