Efficient leaching process of rare earth, alkali and alkaline earth metals from phosphogypsum based on methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as green & eco-friendly lixiviant.

The leaching of rare earth elements (REEs) from secondary resources is exponentially increasing to supply the widespread range of high-tech applications of these elements including phosphors lighting materials, catalysis and permanent magnets. Phosphate fertilizer byproducts including phosphogypsum (PG) were identified as a potential alternative resource of REEs, not only to face the expansion of market demand, but also to achieve a sustainable management of REE resources. This study reports the leaching of REEs from PG using methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as a green organo-sulfonic acid in comparison with other acids such as -toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) and hydrochloric acid (HCl).