• Metals and materials international
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.1262-1274
• /
• 2018

The inhibition of gravity segregation has been a long-standing challenge in fabrication and applications of homogeneous immiscible alloys. Therefore, the effect of rare-earth La on the gravity segregation of Al-Bi immiscible alloys was investigated to understand the homogenization mechanism. The results showed that the addition of La can completely suppress the gravity segregation. This is attributed to the nucleation of Bi-rich liquid phase on the in-situ produced $LaBi_2$ phase and the change of the shape of $LaBi_2@Bi$ droplets. In addition, a novel strategy is developed to prepare the homogeneous immiscible alloys through the addition of rare-earth elements. This strategy not only is applicable to other immiscible alloys, but also is conducive to finding more elements to suppress the gravity segregation. This study provided a useful reference for the fabrication of the homogeneous immiscible alloys.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.29-34
• /
• 2008

In this paper, we investigated electrical and physical characteristics of nickel silicide using rare-earth metals(Er, Yb, Tb, Dy), Incorporated Ytterbium into Ni-silicide is proposed to reduce work function of Ni-silicide for nickel silicided schottky barrier diode (Ni-silicided SBD). Nickel silicide makes ohmic-contact or low schottky barrier height with p-type silicon because of similar work function (${\phi}_M$) in comparison with p-type silicon. However, high schottky barrier height is formed between Ni-silicide and p-type substrate by depositing thin ytterbium layer prior to Ni deposition. Even though the ytterbium is deposited below nickel, ternary phase $Yb_xN_{1-x}iSi$ is formed at the top and inner region of Ni-silicide, which is believed to result in reduction of work function about 0.15 - 0.38 eV.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.301-301
• /
• 1999

Austenitic stainless steels such as AISI 316L have been used in equipment in which fluid flows at high speeds which can induce cavitation erosion on metallic surfaces due to the collapse of cavities, where the collapse is caused by the sudden change of local pressure within the liquid. Usually AISI 316L is susceptible to cavitation erosion. This research focuses on developing a better material to replace the AISI 316L used in equipment with high speed fluid flow, such as impellers. The effects of Rare Earth Metal (REM) additions on the cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steels were studied using metallographic examination, the potentiodynamic anodic polarization test, the tensile test, the X-ray diffraction test and the ultrasonic cavitation erosion test. The experimental alloys were found to have superior mechanical properties due to interstitial solid solution strengthening, by adding high nitrogen (0,4%), as well as by the refinement of phases and grains induced by fine REM oxides and oxy-sulfides. Corrosion resistance decreases in a gentle gradient as the REM content increases. However, REM containing alloys show superior corrosion resistance compared with that of other commercial alloys (SAF 2507, AISI 316L). Owing to their excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, the alloys containing REM have high cavitation erosion-corrosion resistance.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.56 no.12
• /
• pp.870-877
• /
• 2018

Cyanex 272 shows the highest separation factor for the rare earth elements from hydrochloric acid solution among the organophosporus acidic extractants, D2EHPA and PC 88A. Solvent extraction of Tb(III) from weak hydrochloric acid solution with an initial pH 3 to 6 was compared with Cyanex 272, its mixture with Alamine 336, and ionic liquid with Aliquat 336. The solvent extraction reaction of Tb(III) using Cyanex 272 was the same as that of light rare earth elements. Synergism was observed for the extraction of Tb(III) by the mixture with Alamine 336 when the initial concentration ratio of Cyanex 272 to Alamine 336 was higher than 5. Use of the ionic liquid led to a great increase in the extraction percentage of Tb(III) from the same initial extraction conditions. While the equilibrium pH of the mixture was always lower than the initial pH, under some conditions extraction with the ionic liquid resulted in a higher equilibrium pH than the initial pH. The loading capacity of the mixture and the ionic liquid was the same and 2.6 times larger than that using Cyanex 272 alone. Ionic liquid was recommended as a suitable extractant for the extraction of Tb(III) from hydrochloric acid solution based on the ease of handling and higher extraction percentage.

• Ocean Science Journal
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.221-226
• /
• 2006

More attention has been paid to the research on decolorization of dyeing wastewater nowadays. In this study, an investigation into the decolorization of dyeing wastewater was conducted using a combination of coagulant, carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) and coagulant aid, polyscrylamide (PAM). The factors influencing the decolorization efficiency, such as pH value, coagulant and the dosages of coagulant, were discussed. The results showed that using PAM as coagulant aid could reach a high decolorization efficiency compared with using NOCC alone. The optimal conditions were pH 2.3, 480 mg/L for NOCC, and 4-8 mg/L for PAM. Under the optimum conditions, the rate of decolorization could achieve 99%, and the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) could achieve 90%. In addition, the membrane processes with chitosan/rare-earth-metals could enhance the decolorization rate of Direct Black FF to 94.7%, and Indanthren Red F3B to 98.2%, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.625-630
• /
• 2005

This study was focused on the catalytic activity for the combustion of low-concentration methane using various commerical catalysts (six transition metal catalysts in Russia and one rare earth metal (Honeycomb) catalyst in Korea). Catalytic activity was strongly influenced by the type and loading content of metal supported in catalyst. Catalytic performance showed the highest activity in Honeycomb catalyst including rare earth metal, which was the most expensive catalyst, while the next was the catalyst supported Cu with high content (AOK-78-52) and also that supported Cr and Co (AOK-78-56). However, both AOK-78-52 and AOK-78-56 catalysts that were very cheap had lower activation energy than Honeycomb catalyst. In the economical field, both AOK-78-52 and AOK-78-56 catalysts with transition metals showed a good alternative catalyst on the combustion of methane.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.296-300
• /
• 2014

The synthesis of pure and rare-earth doped gallium oxide (${\beta}-Ga_2O_3$) nanoparticles is reported. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized with XRD, TEM, and PL analyses. Strong blue emission is observed from un-doped gallium oxide nanoparticles, while nanoparticles doped with $Eu^{3+}$ and $Tb^{3+}$ give strong red and green emissions, respectively. When doped with $Eu^{3+}$ and $Tb^{3+}$ together, gallium oxide nanoparticles emit white light. The CIE coordinate of the emitted light was found to be (0.33, 0.33), which is well within the white light region.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
• /
• v.49 no.7
• /
• pp.549-556
• /
• 2011

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of diffusion barriers in order to prevent fuel-cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) between the metallic fuels and the cladding materials, a potential hazard for nuclear fuel in sodium-cooled fast reactors. In order to prevent FCCI, Zr or V metal is deposited on the ferritic-martensitic stainless steel surface by physical vapor deposition with a thickness up to $5{\mu}m$. The diffusion couple tests using uranium alloy (U-10Zr) and a rare earth metal such as Ce-La alloy and Nd were performed at temperatures between 660~800$^{\circ}C$. Microstructural analysis using SEM was carried out over the coupled specimen. The results show that significant interdiffusion and an associated eutectic reaction ocurred in the specimen without a diffusion barrier. However, with the exception of the local dissolution of the Zr layer in the Ce-La alloy, the specimens deposited with Zr and V exhibited superior eutectic resistance to the uranium alloy and rare earth metal.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2019

Although the rare earth elements (REEs) recycling industry is expected to increase worldwide in hightech industry, regulations for worker safety have yet to be established. This study was conducted to understand the potential hazard/risk of REE recycling and to support the establishment of regulations or standards. We review the extensive literature on the toxicology, occupational safety, and health issues, and epidemiological surveys related to the REEs, and propose suitable management measures. REE recycling has four key steps such as collection, dismantling, separation, and processing. In these processes, hazardous substances, such as REEs-containing dust, metals, and chemicals, were used or occurred, including the risk of ignition and explosion, and the workers can be easily exposed to them. In addition, skin irritation and toxicities for respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with the liver toxicity were reported; however, more supplementary data are needed, owing to incompleteness. Therefore, monitoring systems concerning health, environmental impacts, and safety need to be established, based on additional research studies. It is also necessary to develop innovative and environment-friendly recycling technologies, analytical methods, and biomarkers with government support. Through these efforts, the occupational safety and health status will be improved, along with the establishment of advanced REE recycling industry.

• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.252-261
• /
• 2022

Cobalt is a vital metal in the modern society because of its applications in lithium-ion batteries, super alloys, hard metals, and catalysts. Further, cobalt is a representative rare metal and is the 30th most abundant element in the Earth's crust. This study reviews the current status of cobalt extraction and recycling processes, along with the trends in its production amount and use. Although cobalt occurs in a wide range of minerals, such as oxides and sulfides of copper and nickel ores, the amounts of cobalt in the minerals are too low to be extracted economically. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leads cobalt mining, and accounts for 68.9 % of the global cobalt reserves (142,000 tons in 2020). Cobalt is mainly extracted from copper-cobalt and nickel-cobalt concentrates and is occasionally extracted directly from the ore itself by hydro-, pyro-, and electro-metallurgical processes. These smelting methods are essential for developing new recycling processes to extract cobalt from secondary resources. Cobalt is mainly recycled from lithium-ion batteries, spent catalysts, and cobalt alloys. The recycling methods for cobalt also depend on the type of secondary cobalt resource. Major recycling methods from secondary resources are applied in pyro- and hydrometallurgical processes.