Investigating Metal-Tributyl Phosphate Complexes during Supercritical Fluid Extraction of the NdFeB Magnet Using Density Functional Theory and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) is gaining significant interest as a green technology for the recycling of end-of-life waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets, which contain large quantities of critical rare-earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium, are widely used in wind turbines and electric/hybrid vehicles. Hence, they are considered a promising secondary resource for these elements when they reach their end-of-life. Previously, the SCFE process was developed for recycling WEEE, including NdFeB; however, the process mechanism remains unexplored. Here, density functional theory, followed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure analyses, are utilized to determine the structural coordination and interatomic interactions of complexes formed during the SCFE of the NdFeB magnet. The results indicate that Fe(II), Fe(III), and Nd(III) form Fe(NO3)2(TBP)2, Fe(NO3)3(TBP)2, and Nd(NO3)3(TBP)3 complexes, respectively. This theory-guided investigation elucidates the complexation chemistry and mechanism during the SCFE process by rigorously determining the structural models.

Cellulases of Penicillium verruculosum.

Nine major cellulolytic enzymes were isolated from a culture broth of a mutant strain of the fungus Penicillium verruculosum: five endo-1, 4-beta-glucanases (EGs) having molecular masses 25, 33, 39, 52, and 70 kDa, and four cellobiohydrolases (CBHs: 50, 55, 60, and 66 kDa). Based on amino acid similarities of short sequenced fragments and peptide mass fingerprinting, the isolated enzymes were preliminary classified into different families of glycoside hydrolases: Cel5A (EG IIa, 39 kDa), Cel5B (EG IIb, 33 kDa), Cel6A (CBH II, two forms: 50 and 60 kDa), Cel7A (CBH I: 55 and 66 kDa), Cel7B (EG I: 52 and 70 kDa). The 25 kDa enzyme was identical to the previously isolated Cel12A (EG III). The family assignment was further confirmed by the studies of the substrate specificity of the purified enzymes. High-molecular-weight forms of the Cel6A, Cel7A, and Cel7B were found to possess a cellulose-binding module (CBM), while the catalytically active low-molecular-weight forms of the enzymes, as well as other cellulases, lacked the CBM. Properties of the isolated enzymes, such as substrate specificity toward different polysaccharides and synthetic glycosides, effect of pH and temperature on the enzyme activity and stability, adsorption on Avicel cellulose and kinetics of its hydrolysis, were investigated.