Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 metallic elements that include the lanthanides (57–71) plus scandium (Sc, 21) and yttrium (Y, 39).
Along with semiconductors and batteries, they are strategic resources essential to national security and economic competitiveness.
Main uses:
- 1. Electronics & Telecom: Smartphones, TVs, LEDs, semiconductors, optical fiber
- 2. Energy: Wind turbines (Nd, Dy permanent magnets)
EV motors, batteries
- 3. Defense & Space: Lasers, night-vision, missile guidance systems
- 4. Chemical & Environment: Catalysts (auto exhaust treatment), hydrogen storage, optical glass
Mineral Introduction
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Rare Earths
Rare Earths (REEs)
Properties and Applications by Element
| Category | Element (Symbol) | Key Characteristics | Major Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light Rare Earth Elements (LREEs) | Lanthanum (La) | Soft metal; commonly exists as oxides | Camera lenses, batteries, catalysts |
| Cerium (Ce) | Most abundant rare earth; strong oxidizer | Polishing agents, catalysts, glass decolorization | |
| Praseodymium (Pr) | Superconductive/used in alloys | Permanent magnets, aircraft engines | |
| Neodymium (Nd) | Strong magnetism | Permanent magnets (EVs, wind turbines), earphones, hard drives | |
| Promethium (Pm) | Radioactive; rare in nature | Nuclear batteries, luminous paint | |
| Samarium (Sm) | Stable magnetic properties | Magnets, nuclear reactor control rods | |
| Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) | Europium (Eu) | Strong fluorescence | Phosphors (LED/TV), anti-counterfeiting in Euro banknotes |
| Gadolinium (Gd) | High neutron absorption | MRI contrast agents, nuclear reactor control | |
| Terbium (Tb) | Green luminescence | Fluorescent lamps, fuel cells, magnets | |
| Dysprosium (Dy) | Maintains magnetism at high temperatures | High-performance magnets, EV motors, lasers | |
| Holmium (Ho) | Strong magnetism | Lasers, magnets, nuclear energy | |
| Erbium (Er) | Infrared absorption | Optical-fiber amplifiers, medical lasers | |
| Thulium (Tm) | Rare and expensive | Portable X-ray devices, lasers | |
| Ytterbium (Yb) | Stabilizes metal alloys | Lasers, stainless steel | |
| Others | Lutetium (Lu) | Heaviest rare earth | Catalysts, PET scanners, LEDs |
| Scandium (Sc) | Strengthens aluminum alloys | Aircraft, sports equipment | |
| Yttrium (Y) | Forms stable oxides | Superconductors, LEDs, lasers |