In this work, LaPO4:Ce, Tb phosphors were prepared by firing a LaPO4:Ce, Tb precipitate using an ionic-liquid-driven supported liquid membrane system. The entire system consisted of three parts: a mixed rare earth ion supply phase, a phosphate supply phase, and an ionic-liquid-driven supporting liquid membrane phase. This method showed the advantages of a high flux, high efficiency, and more controllable reaction process. The release rate of PO43− from the liquid film under different types of ionic liquid, the ratio of the rare earth ions in the precursor mixture, and the structure, morphology, and photoluminescence properties of LaPO4:Ce, Tb were investigated by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence emission spectra methods. The results showed that a pure phase of lanthanum orthophosphate with a monoclinic structure can be formed. Due to differences in the anions in the rare earth supply phase, the prepared phosphors showed micro-spherical (when using rare earth sulfate as the raw material) and nanoscale stone-shape (when using rare earth nitrate as the raw material) morphologies. Moreover, the phosphors prepared by this method had good luminescent properties, reaching a maximum emission intensity under 277 nm excitation with a predominant green emission at 543 nm which corresponded to the 5D4-7F5 transition of Tb3+.
A supported liquid membrane system for the selective recovery of rare earth elements from neodymium-based permanent magnets