Papers by Keyword: Neodymium

Abstract: This study focuses on the development of magnesium-zinc (Mg-Zn) matrix alloys enriched with rare earth elements (RE), aiming to evaluate both their structural characteristics and in vitro biological responses. The designed alloys incorporated varying amounts of Zn, Nd, Ce, Gd, Zr, and Ca. Two specific EZ43 alloy compositions were synthesized using an induction-heated furnace under a protective gas atmosphere, differing in their Nd-to-Ce weight ratios (1:2 and 2:1). Following casting, the alloys were homogenized at 400 °C for 24 hours to eliminate dendritic structures and minimize elemental segregation. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was employed to assess the chemical compositions, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided detailed insight into microstructural features and potential intermetallic phases. Biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests, conducted in accordance with internationally recognized standards to ensure reliability. Results indicated no genotoxic effects and demonstrated high cell viability up to 142% particularly in Nd-enriched samples. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in biological behavior between the Nd-rich and Ce-rich alloys, with Nd contributing positively to cellular responses. These findings emphasize the importance of RE composition in influencing biocompatibility and suggest that Nd-enriched Mg-Zn alloys hold strong promise for biomedical applications requiring both structural integrity and favorable biological interaction.

Abstract: In this paper, the alkali sulfadiazine neodymium (NdSD) was prepared from sulfadiazine and neodymium nitrate hexahydrate under alkaline conditions, and used as a heat stabilizer on PVC. The structure of NdSD was characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectrum. The results show that the molecular formula of NdSD is Nd (SD)₂·OH·H₂O. The thermal degradation process of NdSD at 25-800°C was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that the decomposition temperature of NdSD is higher than 200°C, which is suitable for PVC thermal stabilizer. The thermal stabilizer time of PVC by NdSD was characterized by static Congo red method. The results showed that the thermal stabilizer time of PVC increased from 2.7min to 23.2 min after adding NdSD. The discoloration effect of NdSD on PVC was characterized by oven discoloration method. The results indicate that PVC samples added with NdSD show better effect than other heat stabilizers. By means of silver nitrate solution method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, it was proved that sulfadiazine neodymium can absorb and react with HCl, and further proposed a possible mechanism of NdSD stabilization of PVC.

Abstract: Malaysia has many potential mineral resources including some rare earth elements (REE) minerals such as monazite. REE play critical roles in the applications of advanced materials. Alkaline fusion was introduce to monazite to break the bonding between Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and phosphate. In this study, critical parameter such as fusion temperature (100 °C to 250 °C) and duration (1 to 4 hours) were studied. The results shows that it is possible to recover nearly 100% of Neodymium after 2 hours fusion at 150 °C. In the other hand, more than 99% of Cerium and Lanthanum were recovered after 3 hours fusion at similar temperature. By recover most of the element, expectantly high yield of single LREE can be achieved in the forthcoming.

Abstract: The synthesize of Nd³⁺-strontium hexaferrite magnetic material by the solid-state reaction method has been successfully carried out. This study aims to determine the effect of Nd³⁺ on the structure, magnetic properties, and microwave absorption capability of the material. Preparation of (1-x)SrO:xNd₂O₃:6Fe₂O₃ where x = 0, 10, 20, and 30 mol% using basic material in the form of SrCO₃ powder, Nd₂O₃ powder and Fe₃O₄ from natural iron sand. The characterization includes the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) examination to determine the crystal structure, the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for exploring the surface morphology, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) for the magnetic properties investigation of material, and Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) for microwave absorption capability analysis. The XRD results show that the addition of Nd³⁺ doping increases the number of SrNdFeO₄ phases. The phase has a tetragonal crystal system that has cell parameters a = b = 3.846 Å, and c = 12.594 Å. The magnetic properties of the material showed that the addition of Nd³⁺ decreased the saturation and remanence magnetization values, whereas the value of the coercivity field increased. Meanwhile, the best microwave absorption occurs in samples with the addition of Nd³⁺ as much as 0.3 mol, which results in a reflection loss value of -18.9 dB with a frequency bandwidth of 3.9 GHz.

Abstract: The ZnNd_(x)Fe_(2-x)O₄ (x = 0.0; 0.010; 0.020 and 0,030) systems were synthesized by solid reaction method from a mixture of ZnO₂, Fe₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ powders according to their mole ratio using mechanical milling techniques. In this mixture was added ethanol of 25 ml and then milled for 5 hours, after that sintered at a temperature of 1000 °C for 5 hours. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the Nd³⁺ ion substitution in ZnFe₂O₄ with the concentration of x = 0.0 to 0.02 did not result in changes in ZnFe₂O₄ phase with cubic structure (space group of Fd-3m). However, the composition of x = 0.030 formed multiphases ZnFe₂O₄ and NdFeO₃ phases. The morphological observation using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed spherical and uniform particles. Whereas the microwave absorption capability of the sample ZnNd_(x)Fe_(2-x)O₄ system increased with the increasing concentration of x from 91.20% up to 97.80% with the highest absorption is found at a frequency of 10.24 GHz. The dielectric loss of this study is very small around 0.005 up to 0.05. It is hoped that the compound ZnNd_0.02Fe_1,98O₄ can be applied to microwave absorbing agents at high frequencies (X-band range) in antiradar detection systems.

Abstract: This paper proposed a recycling process for neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet scrap from the end-of-life (EOL) of hard disk drives by using hydrometallurgical process. Initial chemical composition of NdFeB magnet scrap was consisted of 25.37%Nd, 6.53%Pr, 0.90%Co, 3.63%B and 63.57%Fe. After de-magnetization and crushing into proper size, magnet scraps were directly leached by H₂SO₄ solution. More than 90% dissolved into acid solution with remaining small amount of residuals and Ni-coated metal. Neodymium precipitated from leached solution by pH-control to the optimum condition at pH 0.6 using NaOH solution. Solid Nd-precipitates XRD pattern was observed in form of NaNd (SO₄)₂.(H₂O) and FeSO₄.(H₂O). Elemental analysis of Nd-precipitates by WD-XRF. The precipitates contained 26.50%Nd, 8.46%Pr and 1.19%Fe. In order to elimination of Fe, Nd-precipitates was leached by using H₂SO₄ solution to dissolve FeSO₄.(H₂O) into acid solution to obtain high concentration of Nd and rare-earth metals (REMs) compound. As a result, XRD pattern of Nd-compound after Fe-removal confirmed that the high purity NaNd (SO₄)₂.(H₂O) compound was obtained. The final composition of precipitates analyzed by WD-XRF was 26.36%Nd, 8.13%Pr with Fe as low as 0.14%Fe.

Abstract: 4-Sebacoylbis (1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone) (H₂SbBP) ligand has been successfully synthesized, characterized and used as ionophores in Nd (III) selective electrode, using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranous as a support. Prior to use the PTFE membrane soaked ionophores 1.5% w/v in chloroform for 24 hours. The performance of electrode studied by seeing the influence of pH and concentration of KNO₃ as a buffer solution ionic strength. Variations in pH of the solution was set at pH ranges between 1 to 10 using a solution of HCl and NaOH, while KNO₃ concentration varied between 10^-4 to 10^-1 M. Nd³⁺ concentration range is between 10^-6 up to 10^-2 M. The best electrode performance was obtained at pH 5 and 10^-2 M KNO₃ concentration with a sensitivity of (18.5 ± 0.2) mV/decade and its response time less than 25 seconds.

Abstract: Nd³⁺ doped lithium borotellurite glasses were successfully been prepared by conventional melt-quenching method with the chemical composition (70.0)B₂O₃-(5.0)TeO₂-(25.0-x) Li₂CO₃-xNd₂O₃ (where x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 2.0 mol%) by varying the Neodymium content. The physical properties such as density, molar volume and oxygen packing density were measured. The structural properties have been studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The XRD pattern has been used to confirm the amorphous nature of the glass samples. There are no sharp peaks were observed in XRD patterns of the glass samples which confirmed the amorphous nature of the glass. FTIR spectra were used to analyse the functional groups present in the glass samples. The FTIR spectra reveal the presence of B-O-B, B-O, BO_3, BO_4,Te-O and characteristic of the hydrogen bond in the prepared glass samples.

Abstract: The neodymium fluoride was reduced to metal by thermal reduction or pyro-metallurgical process using calcium as reducing agent. Thermal reduction was carried out in a sealed reactions chamber in inert atmosphere with a nickel crucible having dry calcium fluoride lining. The stoichiometric mixture of neodymium fluoride and calcium metal chips were used in the form of pallets for pyro-metallurgical reactions. Small iodine was also added to increase heat available during ignition and to yield a lower melting and more fluid slag. The contents were heated electrically at a predetermined rate until ignition took place. The reaction was self-supporting and neodymium metal was obtained with fairly good efficiency.

Abstract: The granular structure of ceramic material influences the electrical properties. Ceramics of YMNO (Y₂NiMnO₆) doped with Nd were produced by compression and sintering. Grain size was determined from SEM image analysis. Generally, As the Nd dopant concentration was increased, the grain size increased with sintering time. However, at the highest dopant levels of 30% and 20% Nd, a large range in grain size was observed with regions of defective growth. In contrast, a more uniform grain growth was seen for the 10% Nd doped ceramic at all sintering times.