Quantification and separation of rare earth elements from fluorescent lamp phosphors and synthesis of luminescent nanoparticles

Fluorescent lamps (FL) are largely used due to their higher efficiency and longer life span as compared to incandescent bulbs. Phosphors found in such lamps contain Rare Earth Elements (REE), which are chemically very similar and have a wide range of applications. Their reutilization is thus vital, not only for the industrial sector, but also for environmental reasons since this process relies on the recycling of electronic waste (more specifically FLs). This project aims at the quantification, separation and reutilization of REE obtained from FLs (specially Y, Eu and Tb) by methods of filtrations, dilutions in acidic environments and co-precipitation with an organic compound, trimesic acid (TMA).