Correlation Evaluation of Ion Adsorption-Based Rare Earth Leaching Performance Based on Zeta Potential Drop Leaching

Rare earth elements are indispensable raw materials for advanced aero-engines, special optical materials, and high-performance electronic products. With the development of the social economy, the global demand for rare earth resources is increasing, and rare earths have become a key metal for the development of new industries and frontier technologies that are highly valued both at home and abroad. Ion-adsorbed rare earth ores are an important source of rare earths, so the efficient green leaching of ion-adsorbed rare earths is important. Researchers found that the selection of an efficient green leaching agent for ion-adsorbed rare earths is based on the zeta potential of tailing clay minerals in addition to leaching efficiency, and both zeta potential and leaching ion concentration are related to mineral acidity and alkalinity, and the pH of tailing water suspension is a direct indicator of environmental water quality requirements. Therefore, the efficiency of the leaching process is closely integrated with the environmental evaluation, and the characteristics and correlation of the changes in zeta potential, pH, conductivity and pollutant concentration of the pulp of clay mineral content during the leaching process of ore leaching and tailings aqueous electrolyte solution leaching are studied by evaluating the leaching system, and a set of correlation leaching efficiency and environmental impact evaluation method is established based on the results of the above analysis, which is of scientific development of ion adsorption rare earth resources. It has important theoretical significance and practical application value.