Desorption of REEs from Halloysite and Illite: A Link to the Exploitation of Ion-Adsorption RE Ore Based on Clay Species

The adsorption/desorption characteristics for light and heavy rare earth elements (REEs) on halloysite illite (which are beneficial the utilization of ion-adsorption RE ore) were systematically investigated compared. Additionally, fully charactered by XRD, SEM, microscope, zeta potential, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms buffer pH to build relationship between mechanisms minerals’ properties. results experiments show that adsorption rate is higher than illite, although they both very fast follow pseudo-second-order kinetic model. capacity increases with an increase in remains constant when 4. Due narrow interlamellar spacing fact it a nanotube, ions adsorbed only through electrostatic attraction, whereas desorption have significant effect recovery from because diverse mechanism. illustrated structure surface properties clays also key factors affect leaching.