Processes developed for the separation of europium (Eu) from various resources

Europium (Eu), one of the most significant rare earth (RE) elements, has wide applications as
functional material in phosphor production, majorly used in fluorescent lamps, computer
monitors, televisions etc. Eu is one of the three divalent lanthanides (along with Yb and
Sm) having a reduction potential higher than −2 V. This possibility of Eu reduction is
attributed to a relatively stable half-filled 4f7 electronic configuration, thus providing a high
stabilization energy and selective recovery. But the Eu recuperation from natural minerals is
either accompanied with other REs or Eu is recovered as a group of light REs. Selective
recovery of Eu has sparked the progress for its reutilization through recycling of secondary
resources. The perspectives of reclaiming Eu as a value added product from various sources
using different pyro-hydro or hybrid techniques are discussed. The systematic research and
salient findings on methods, viz., reduction, leaching, solvent extraction, as well as combined
methods scaled-up to commercial scale to recover Eu, are also reported with recommendations.
Thus, this comparative as well as summarized review hopes to help researchers to
develop feasible processes for Eu recovery.