Rare Earth Element adsorption experiments onto kaolinite in water, NaCl, Na <sub>2</sub> SO <sub>4</sub> , NaHCO <sub>3</sub> solutions: Implications on ion-adsorption REE deposits formation
In ion adsorption REE deposits, REE are adsorbed onto clay minerals.Previous experimental studies indicate that adsorption depends on the chemical and physical properties of the clay, and pH and salinity of the solution.This work presents adsorption experiments using two natural, purified kaolins with contrasting particle sizes, exposed to different ligands in low and high ionic strengths, and different pH, to assess their influence in the adsorption of REE onto kaolinite.The results reveal that: (1) REE adsorption is rapid; (2) water/dilute nitric acid experiments gave optimum adsorption; (3) high I NaCl, Na 2 SO 4 and NaHCO 3 gave least adsorption; (4) REE and Y are more adsorbed onto kaolinite in water/dilute nitric acid at lower pH, but adsorption is higher at
Authors
- Eva Marquis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9526-1008)
- Martin Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2281-8896)
- Peter Lyons
- C. Villanova-de-Benavent
Institutions
- University of Exeter (GB)
- University of Brighton (GB)
- Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Clay Minerals
- Published
- 2026-02-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1180/clm.2026.10021
- Primary Topic
- Clay minerals and soil interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- University of Cambridge
- Natural Environment Research Council