1. UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PAHANG
FACULTY OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
BSK 3163
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY PROCESS
ASSIGNMENT 1
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON RECYCLING OF
RARE EARTH ELEMENT
(NEODYMIUM ELEMENT)
NAME : NURUL NAJWA BTE MUSTAFA
STUDENT ID : SA10100
LECTURER NAME : PROF DR MOHD RIDZUAN BIN NORDIN
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 29 OCTOBER 2012

2. Rare Earth Metal (Neodymium, Nd)
Rare earth metal is the chemical element that is categorize in lanthanide and
actinoids series in periodic table. This rare earth metals consists 17 elements (57-71 in
periodic table) where two elements from this rare earth is come from group 3 (transition
metal elements) that are Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y). These two elements are considered
to be rare earth metal due to their similar chemical properties and occur in the same
deposits as lanthanides. The major elements used in industries are Cerium (Ce), followed by
Lanthanum (La) and Neodymium (Nd). Others are Praseodymium (Pr), Yttrium (Y),
Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), and Erbium (Er).
Neodymium (Nd) is a silvery metal which pollute the environment usually air
pollution. It has atomic number of 60. Basically, Neodymium is not found in pure form or
unmixed with other lanthanides elements mainly monazite and bastnaesite. It was second
most abundant elements that are found as rare earth in the world but the bulk production at
China. Not only that, Neodymium is a very reactive rare earth metal and considered as
moderately toxic. That is why Neodymium is quickly tarnished with air and the coated form
does not protect the metal from being oxidize, so it must be stored carefully and make sure
no air interrupt. Usually, it stored in mineral oils. Besides, it reacts slowly with cold water but
rapidly react with heat. Below shows the chemical reaction of the Neodymium elements:
4 Nd + 3 O2 2 Nd2O3
That is a general reaction if Neodymium reacts with air. The reaction tells that the
element is quite electropositive. Neodymium also rapidly reacts with hot water. The reaction
below is between Neodymium and hot water to become a Neodymium Hydroxide.
2 Nd (s) + 6 H2O (l) 2 Nd (OH)3 (aq) + 3 H2 (g)
Inspite, Neodymium plays important roles in many industries especially in magnet
industries. The magnets are used in television, cell phones, computer, medical equipment,
toys, wind turbines and many more. The reaction of Neodymium with other rare metals such
as Yttrium and Aluminium called Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium garnet, Nd.YAG.
This element used as a crystal in laser normally to treat skin cancer in medical application.
Recycling of this element can be done by many processes such as mining, beneficiation
(grinding, floatation, thickening, separation and drying), extraction (hydrometallurgy,
electrometallurgy and pyrometallury) and reduction (for high purity alloy).

3. Even Neodymium play important roles in many industries, it has several
disadvantages in environmental effects. Due to its properties which are moderately toxic,
their salt and dust can irritate the eyes although our body contains a little amount of this
element. Not only that, their gases and damps can affect human lung especially long term
exposure. It also can damage human liver when it accumulates to human body.
Furthermore, this environment is mostly dangerous for those who are working in Neodymium
mining industry.
As a conclusion, Neodymium might be an important element without environmental
issue if precaution for the worker is increased.

4. References :
1) http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1595
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/neoduymium
3) Schuler, D. (2011). Study of Rare Earth Elements. Institute for applied ecology, Europe.
4) Sullivan, R. (2011). Rare Earth Metal. Retrieved from http://resourceinvestingnews.com/
20506-us-military-depending-on-china-for-rare-earths.html