Microwave sintering of nano-sized samarium oxide synthesized by pneumatic impinging flow microchannel reactor: High-value utilization of rare earth.

Samarium oxide (Sm 2 O 3), a quintessential lanthanide oxide, garners significant attention in electrocatalysis and photocatalysis. However, the physicochemical properties of precursors and rare earth oxides are hampered by traditional precipitation reactions, mainly due to the asymmetry of time and space. A new anti-clogging strategy based on pneumatic impingement flow is proposed. Subsequently, nano-sized Sm 2 O 3 powder with an ellipsoidal morphology and a median particle size of 70 nm are prepared using the integration of microchannel reaction and microwave heating. Correlation analysis and morphology evolution mechanism reveal intricate relationships among different variables, emphasizing the importance of achieving balance to effectively control crystal properties. Numerical simulations show that the selective heating of microwave make it significantly superior to conventional. Preliminary economic analysis suggests that producing 1 kg of nano-Sm 2 O 3 can yield $57.56. The combination of microchannels and microwaves offers a pathway for the high-value utilization of rare earths and holds significant industrial application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]