Recycling of non-product outputs containing rare elements originating in nanomaterial syntheses

Abstract

Recycling of non-product outputs containing substantial amounts of rare elements originating in nanomaterial syntheses is relatively attractive as rare elements tend to be more valuable than abundant elements. Compared with disposing these outputs, such recycling may reduce risks and modestly contribute to resource conservation. However, there are few scientific papers regarding this recycling. The published papers touch upon only 6 of the at least 51 rare elements that are present in commercially available nanomaterials. There appears to be a case for a substantially increased research effort aimed at a preferentially low-cost, recycling of non-product outputs with rare elements generated in nanomaterial syntheses, leading to the synthesis of nanomaterials of at least acceptable functionality. Such research may improve the economics of nanomaterial production.