본 연구는 중국의 희토류 정책 변화를 전략자산 거버넌스의 제도화 과 정으로 해석한다. 이를 위해 2011년 국무원 의견, 2012년 「중국의 희토 류 현황과 정책」 백서, 2019년 국가발전개혁위원회 문건, 2021년 「희토 류 관리조례」 공개의견수렴 공고와 관련 설명, 2024년 「희토류 관리조 례」, 2025년 총량조정·추적관리 의견수렴안과 최종 방법, 2025년 4월 중·중희토 관련 품목 수출통제 공고 및 2026년 허가목록·신고처리·지방 점검 자료를 중심으로 희토류 통치의 정책언어, 법적 범주, 운영 장치의 변화를 추적한다. 이를 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 2010년대의 대외 갈등은 희토류의 지정학적 효용을 가시화했지만, 중국의 제도 전환 은 2011년 이후 누적된 산업통치 장치 위에서 진행되었다. 둘째, 2012년 백서의 공정무역·국제협력·산업고도화 언어는 2019년 전략자원 및 전 과 정 추적·심사 언어를 거쳐 2024년 조례의 생태안보·국가 자원안보·산업 안보라는 법적 범주로 재구성되었다. 셋째, 2025~2026년의 총량조정, 추 적정보시스템, 흐름기록, 허가형 수출통제, 신고처리와 지방점검은 희토 류를 계속 조건화할 수 있는 운영·집행 체계로 구체화되었다. 본 연구는 이를 통해 중국 희토류 통치를 단순한 대외적 보복수단이 아니라 자원보 호, 산업정책, 수출통제, 데이터 감독이 결합된 전략자산 거버넌스의 제 도화로 이해한다.

Magnetic ferrites are spinel-structured transition-metal oxide-based nanoparticles that exhibit distinctive magnetic, electrical, and surface characteristics, rendering them highly promising materials for gas-sensing technologies. Rare-earth doping, particularly with lanthanum (La) and dysprosium (Dy), induces substantial alterations in crystal symmetry, electronic structure, defect chemistry, and magnetic behavior within the ferrite lattice. Such intrinsic modifications profoundly govern gas adsorption kinetics, surface reactivity, and charge-carrier transport, all of which are pivotal to achieving superior sensing performance. This review provides a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of recent advances in La- and Dy-doped ferrite-based catalysts for gas sensors, with specific emphasis on synthesis strategies, structure-property correlations, sensing mechanisms, and key performance indicators. The analysis demonstrates that rare-earth incorporation improves sensitivity, selectivity, response stability, and thermal robustness through the generation of oxygen vacancies, modulation of grain-boundary characteristics, and enhancement of surface-active sites. The review finally concludes by outlining critical future research priorities and translational considerations for scalable, commercially viable sensor deployment.

Amid intensifying great-power competition over critical minerals, rare earth elements have become increasingly significant as strategic resources. In recent years, drawing on its structural advantages in the rare earth industry while responding to growing external constraints, China has gradually strengthened its rare earth export controls, attracting widespread international attention regarding the motivations and implications of these policies. Taking rare earth export controls as the analytical entry point, this study develops a Structure–Mechanism– Outcome framework to examine the policy logic underlying these measures from the dual perspective of structural advantages and constraints. The study finds that China’s tightening of rare earth export controls since 2023 should not be understood as a short-term retaliatory measure, but rather as an economic statecraft practice characterized by institutionalization and a defensive orientation, rooted in China’s structural advantages in the rare earth supply chain. Institutionalization is reflected in cross-ministerial coordination and the expansion of control targets from raw materials to technologies and key segments of the supply chain. The defensive orientation is manifested in the use of rule-based policy instruments—such as export licensing and control lists—to manage the cross-border flow of rare earth resources rather than imposing comprehensive trade restrictions. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the policy logic and broader implications of critical mineral governance in the context of great-power competition.

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for hydrogen-fueled gas turbines withstand higher combustion temperatures and increased steam concentrations compared to conventional natural-gas systems. These harsh operating conditions significantly accelerate the thermal degradation of widely used YSZ coatings, emphasizing the need for alternative top-coat materials with improved phase stability and reduced thermal conductivity. In this study, rare-earth zirconate ceramics, Gd2Zr2O7 (GdZO), Tm2Zr2O7 (TmZO), and a mixed composition (Gd0.5Tm0.5)2Zr2O7 (Gd/TmZO), were synthesized and investigated as potential next-generation TBC candidates. Each material was comparatively examined with a focus on crystal structure, thermophysical properties, and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, high-temperature steam exposure experiments were performed to simulate hydrogen combustion environments. Microstructural analyses, high-temperature degradation behavior, and phase stability evaluations were carried out to obtain fundamental experimental data. This study provided essential baseline information for the design and development of high-performance TBC materials suitable for the hydrogen-fueled gas turbine systems.

This study focused on improving the phase stability and mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), commonly utilized in gas turbine engine thermal barrier coatings, by incorporating Gd2O3, Er2O3, and TiO2. The addition of 3-valent rare earth elements to YSZ can reduce thermal conductivity and enhance phase stability while adding the 4-valent element TiO2 can improve phase stability and mechanical properties. Sintered specimens were prepared with hot-press equipment. Phase analysis was conducted with X-ray diffraction (XRD), and mechanical properties were assessed with Vickers hardness equipment. The research results revealed that, except for Z10YGE10T, most compositions predominantly exhibited the t-phase. Increasing the content of 3-valent rare earth oxides resulted in a decrease in the monoclinic phase and an increase in the tetragonal phase. In addition, the t(400) angle decreased while the t(004) angle increased. The addition of 10 mol% of 3-valent rare-earth oxides discarded the t-phase and led to the complete development of the c-phase. Adding 10 mol% TiO2 increased hardness than YSZ.

Liquid metal extraction (LME), a pyrometallurgical recycling method, is popular owing to its negligible environmental impact. LME mainly targets rare-earth permanent magnets having several rare-earth elements. Mg is used as a solvent metal for LME because of its selective and eminent reactivity with rare-earth elements in magnets. Several studies concerning the formation of Dy-Fe intermetallic compounds and their effects on LME using Mg exist. However, methods for reducing these compounds are unavailable. Fe reacts more strongly with B than with Dy; B addition can be a reducing method for Dy-Fe intermetallic compounds owing to the formation of Fe2B, which takes Fe from Dy-Fe intermetallic compounds. The FeB alloy is an adequate additive for the decomposition of Fe2B. To accomplish the former process, Mg must convey B to a permanent magnet during the decomposition of the FeB alloy. Here, the effect of Mg on the transfer of B from FeB to permanent magnet is observed through microstructural and phase analyses. Through microstructural and phase analysis, it is confirmed that FeB is converted to Fe2B upon B transfer, owing to Mg. Finally, the transfer effect of Mg is confirmed, and the possibility of reducing Dy-Fe intermetallic compounds during LME is suggested.

자기공명영상(MRI) 장비의 조영제로 흔히 사용되는 가돌리늄(Gd)은 매우 안정된 상태로 하수처리과정에서 거의 제거되지 않고 수환경으로 유입된다고 알려져 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 세 가지의 공법으로 하수처리를 하는 부산 수영 하수처리장에서 채취한 하수 시료의 공정별 용존 희토류 원소의 제거율 및 수환경으로 배출되는 인위적 기원 Gd (Gdanth)의 배출량을 평가하고자 하였다. 용존 희토류 원소는 공정별 처리 단계에 따라 무거운 희토류 원소(Tb-Lu)에 비 해 가벼운 희토류 원소(La-Eu)에서 농도가 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 일부 시료에서 나타난 음의(negative) Sm anomaly (<1)는 생물학적 제거 과정에서 Sm이 입자나 인산염과 흡착되어 함께 제거되었을 가능성을 시사한다. 모든 시 료에서 양의(positive) Gd anomaly (149±50, n=9)를 보였으며, 공정별로 측정된 Gd의 총 농도 중 Gdanth은 약 97% 이 상을 차지하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 하수처리과정에서 Gdanth 이 거의 제거되지 않고 수영강 하류로 배출된다는 것을 의미한다. 일별 처리용량을 고려하여 각 공정에서 배출되는 Gdanth의 배출량은 259 mmol/day로 추정할 수 있다. 본 연 구의 결과는 하수처리장을 통해 수영만 연안으로 Gdanth이 지속적으로 배출될 것으로 예상되며, 향후 Gd의 중장기적인 관측이 필요함을 시사한다.

Rare earth elements, which are important components of motors, are in high demand and thus constantly get more expensive. This tendency is driven by the growth of the electric vehicle market, as well as environmental issues associated with rare-earth metal manufacturing. TC 298 of the ISO manages standardization in the areas of rare-earth recycling, measurement, and sustainability. Korea, a resource-poor country, is working on international standardization projects that focus on recycling and encouraging the domestic adoption of international standards. ITU-T has previously issued recommendations regarding the recycling of rare-earth metals from e-waste. ISO TC 298 expands on the previous recommendations and standards for promoting the recycling industry. Recycling-related rare earth standards and drafts covered by ISO TC 298, as well as Korea’s strategies, are reviewed and discussed in this article.

Several studies investigating the behavior and environmental distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) have been reviewed to determine the geochemical processes that may affect their concentrations and fractionation patterns in groundwater and whether these elements can be used as tracers for groundwater-rock interactions and groundwater flow paths in small catchments. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer and active-film multiplier detector, is routinely used as an analytical technique to measure REEs in groundwater, facilitating the analysis of dissolved REE geochemistry. This review focuses on the distribution of REEs in groundwater and their application as tracers for groundwater geochemistry. Our review of existing literature suggests that REEs in ice cores can be used as effective tracers for atmospheric particles, aiding the identification of source regions.

Rare earth magnets with excellent magnetic properties are indispensable in the electric device, wind turbine, and e-mobility industries. The demand for the development of eco-friendly recycling techniques has increased to realize sustainable green technology, and the supply of rare earth resources, which are critical for the production of permanent magnets, are limited. Liquid metal extraction (LME), which is a type of pyrometallurgical recycling, is known to selectively extract the metal forms of rare earth elements. Although several studies have been carried out on the formation of intermetallic compounds and oxides, the effect of oxide formation on the extraction efficiency in the LME process remains unknown. In this study, microstructural and phase analyses are conducted to confirm the oxidation behavior of magnets pulverized by a jaw crusher. The LME process is performed with pulverized scrap, and extraction percentages are calculated to confirm the effect of the oxide phases on the extraction of Dy during the reaction. During the LME p rocess, Nd i s completely e xtracted a fter 6 h, w hile D y remains as D y2Fe17 and Dy-oxide. Because the decomposition rate of Dy2Fe17 is faster than the reduction rate of Dy-oxide, the importance of controlling Dy-oxide on Dy extraction is confirmed.

SrMoO4:RE3+ (RE=Dy, Sm, Tb, Eu, Dy/Sm) phosphors are prepared by co-precipitation method. The effects of the type and the molar ratio of activator ions on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the phosphor particles are investigated. X-ray diffraction data reveal that all the phosphors have a tetragonal system with a main (112) diffraction peak. The emission spectra of the SrMoO4 phosphors doped with several activator ions indicate different multicolor emissions: strong yellow-emitting light at 573 nm for Dy3+, red light at 643 nm for Sm3+, green light at 545 nm for Tb3+, and reddish orange light at 614 nm for Eu3+ activator ions. The Dy3+ singly-doped SrMoO4 phosphor shows two dominant emission peaks at 479 and 573 nm corresponding to the 4F9/2→6H15/2 magnetic dipole transition and 4F9/2→6H13/2 electric dipole transition, respectively. For Dy3+ and Sm3+ doubly-doped SrMoO4 phosphors, two kinds of emission peaks are observed. The two emission peaks at 479 and 573 nm are attributed to 4F9/2→6H15/2 and 4F9/2→6H13/2 transitions of Dy3+ and two emission bands centered at 599 and 643 nm are ascribed to 4G5/2→6H7/2 and 4G5/2→6H9/2 transitions of Sm3+. As the concentration of Sm3+ increases from 1 to 5 mol%, the intensities of the emission bands of Dy3+ gradually decrease; those of Sm3+ slowly increase and reach maxima at 5 mol% of Sm3+ ions, and then rapidly decrease with increasing molar ratio of Sm3+ ions due to the concentration quenching effect. Fluorescent security inks based on as-prepared phosphors are synthesized and designed to demonstrate an anticounterfeiting application.

Since the ISO decided to deal with rare-earth elements at the 298th Technical Committee (TC) in 2015, Korea has participated in four plenary meetings and proposed four standards as of June 2019. The status of ISO TC 298, the standards covered by the TC, and the standardization strategies of Korea are summarized. Korean delegations are actively engaged in WG2, which deals with recycling, proposing four standards for fostering the rare-earth recycling industry. However, the participation of domestic experts is still low compared with the increase in the number of working groups and the number of standards in TC 298. The aim of this article is to summarize the current status of ISO international standards related to rare-earth elements, to encourage relevant experts to participate in standardization, and to develop international standards that accurately reflect the realities of the industry.

Layered LiNi0.83Co0.11Mn0.06O2 cathode materials single- and dual-doped by the rare-earth elements Ce and Nd are successfully fabricated by using a coprecipitation-assisted solid-phase method. For comparison purposes, nondoping pristine LiNi0.83Co0.11Mn0.06O2 cathode material is also prepared using the same method. The crystal structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) mapping, and electrochemical techniques. The XRD data demonstrates that all prepared samples maintain a typical α-NaFeO2-layered structure with the R-3m space group, and that the doped samples with Ce and/or Nd have lower cation mixing than that of pristine samples without doping. The results of SEM and EDS show that doped elements are uniformly distributed in all samples. The electrochemical performances of all doped samples are better than those of pristine samples without doping. In addition, the Ce/Nd dualdoped cathode material shows the best cycling performance and the least capacity loss. At a 10 C-rate, the electrodes of Ce/Nd dual-doped cathode material exhibit good capacity retention of 72.7, 58.5, and 45.2% after 100, 200, and 300 cycles, respectively, compared to those of pristine samples without doping (24.4, 11.1, and 8.0%).

We report a method for preparing rare earth oxides (RexOy) from the recycling process for spent Ni-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. This process first involves a leaching of spent Ni-MH powders with sulfuric acid at 90℃, resulting in rare earth precipitates (i.e., NaRE(SO4)2·H2O, RE = La, Ce, Nd), which are converted into rare earth oxides via two different approaches: i) simple heat treatment in air, and ii) metathesis reaction with NaOH at 70℃. Not only the morphological features but also the crystallographic structures of all products are systematically investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD); their thermal behaviors are also analyzed. In particular, XRD results show that some of the rare earth precipitates are converted into oxide form (such as La2O3, Ce2O3, and Nd2O3) with heat treatment at 1200℃; however, secondary peaks are also observed. On the other hand, rare earth oxides, RExOy can be successfully obtained after metathesis of rare earth precipitates, followed by heat treatment at 1000℃ in air, along with a change of crystallographic structures, i.e., NaRE(SO4)2·H2O → RE(OH)3 → RExOy.

Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation) is a globally important ornamental plant. Tissue culture techniques have been used for the commercial production of carnation; however, the micropropagation of carnation has been impeded due to the occurrence of hyperhydricity during the shoot multiplication process or micropropagation stage 2. In the present study, the effects of different concentrations of rare earth elements on the reduction of hyperhydricity in micropropagated carnation were investigated. Nodal explants of D. caryophyllus ‘13827’ were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1.0 mg·L-1 6-benzyladenine and 0.5 mg·L-1 indole-3-acetic acid with 3.0% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar (control medium). The medium was supplemented with lanthanum nitrate, La(NO3)3, cerium nitrate, Ce(NO3)3, or neodymium chloride, NdCl3 at a concentration of 0.05, 0.1, or 0.15 mM. Hyperhydricity was observed in 68.9% of the cultures produced on the control medium. The lowest percentage (42.2%) of hyperhydricity was observed in plants propagated on the medium supplemented with 0.05 mM Ce(NO3)3. Furthermore, the soluble protein concentration was higher in both the non-hyperhydric and hyperhydric plants produced on the medium supplemented with 0.05 mM Ce(NO3)3, whereas the activity of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase was lower in comparison with the media lacking Ce3+. The results of this study suggest that supplementation of the culture medium with 0.05 mM Ce(NO3)3 alleviates oxidative stress and reduces hyperhydricity in carnation during the adventitious shoot multiplication stage.

산업과 의학이 발전되면서 많은 인구는 삶의 질에 관심을 가지게 되었다. 건강에 대한 시각이 높아지면서 육류보다 채식 또는 식물성 오일을 선호하게 되었다. 오늘날 주로 니켈 촉매를 사용한 공정이 개발되면서 식물성 오일의 보존기간이 늘어나고 이동성이 편리해졌다. 현재 유지경화용 니켈 촉매는 외국기업이 세계시장을 장악하고 있다. 한편, 국내 니켈 촉매의 대량 생산 기술은 퇴보 되어 전량 외국에서 수입하고 있는 실정이다. 따라서 활발한 기초연구가 필요하고 국내에서 상용화 할 수 있는 촉매개발이 필요하다. 본 연구는 수소화 반응으로부터 유지경화에 기반이 되는 니켈을 주 활성 촉매제로 사용하였고, 희토류가 촉매의 활성에 주는 영향을 알아보았다. 일정량의 희토류는 니켈의 분산을 유도하여 효율을 증가시키고 조촉매로써 사용이 가능하였다.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a source of air pollution and are harmful to both human health and the environment. In this study, we fabricated polyurethane/rare earth (PU/RE) composite nanofibrous membranes via electrospinning with the aim of removing VOCs from air. The morphological structure of PU/RE nanofibrous mats were investigated using FE-SEM, EDX, and XRD experimental analyses. A certain amount of RE (up to 50 wt% compared to PU pellets) particles could be loaded on/into PU fibers. The PU nanofiber containing 50 wt% RE powder had the smallest fiber diameter of 356 nm; it also showed the highest VOCs absorption capacity compared with other composite membranes, having an absorption capacity about 3 times greater than pure PU nanofibers. In addition, all of the PU/RE nanofibrous membranes readily absorbed styrene the most, followed by xylene, toluene, benzene and chloroform. Therefore, the PU/RE nanofibrous membrane can play an important role in removing VOCs from the air, and its development prospects are impressive because they are emerging materials.

This study investigated the effects of rare-earth fertilizer on the shoot cuttings’ rooting of Vitex rotundifolia L. and Tamarix chinensis Lour. The shoot cutting test was carried in 2008 and the main results are summarized as follows. The rate of rooting and the average roots increased in both number and length when rare-earth fertilizer is treated in V. rotundifolia and T. chinensis in comparison to those of the untreated control plot. In particular, when rare-earth fertilizer is diluted with water 1/2500, the rooting outstandingly increases. This result is almost similar to the effect of the rooting stimulant, IAA. Although there is no differentiation in its rooting rate according to the density, the rooting of T. chinensis shows a 100 percent effect on in the entire treated plot but not in the untreated control plot, so it is usable as a rooting stimulant. As for shoot cuttings' rooting, depending on the time immersed in diluted solution of rare-earth fertilizer, both V. rotundifolia and T. chinensis showed relatively higher percentages in all treatment plot immersed for 60 minutes than for 10 minutes. In conclusion, considering the results of the rooting percentage and the average number and length of roots of V. rotundifolia and T. chinensis, the shoot cuttings' rooting appeared higher in percentage when they were immersed in the rooting stimulant for sixty minutes with a lower density than 1/2500. This result shows that rare-earth fertilizer can be utilized as an alterative for IAA rooting stimulants currently available in the market.

Rare-earth zirconates, such as lanthanum zirconates and gadolinium zirconates, have been intensively investigated due to their excellent properties of low thermal conductivity as well as chemical stability at high temperature, which can make these materials ones of the most promising candidates for next-generation thermal barrier coating applications. In this study, three compositions, lanthanum/gadolinium zirconates with reduced rare-earth contents from stoichiometric RE2Zr2O7 compositions, are fabricated via solid state reaction as well as sintering at 1600oC for 4 hrs. The phase formation, microstructure, and thermo-physical properties of three oxide ceramics are examined. In particular, each oxide ceramics exhibits composite structures between pyrochlore and fluorite phases. The potential of lanthanum/ gadolinium zirconate ceramics for TBC applications is also discussed.

Lanthanum zirconate, La2Zr2O7, is one of the most promising candidates for next-generation thermal barrier coating (TBC) applications in high efficient gas turbines due to its low thermal conductivity and chemical stability at high temperature. In this study, bulk specimens and thermal barrier coatings are fabricated via a variety of sintering processes as well as suspension plasma spray in lanthanum zirconates with reduced rare-earth contents. The phase formation, microstructure, and thermo-physical properties of these oxide ceramics and coatings are examined. In particular, lanthanum zirconates with reduced rare-earth contents in a La2Zr2O7-4YSZ composite system exhibit a single phase of fluorite or pyrochlore after fabricated by suspension plasma spray or spark plasma sintering. The potential of lanthanum zirconate ceramics for TBC applications is also discussed.