A cleaner strategy for efficient recovery of Sm₂O₃ and CoFeCu alloy from SmCo swarf based on an anodic leaching process

This communication reports the development of an efficient recycling route for SmCo swarf based on an anodic leaching process, which utilized the anode-generated H+ via the oxygen evolution reaction and a direct anodization process to promote the leaching of the SmCo swarf. Over 99% of Sm2O3 and CoFeCu alloy were recovered with significant reduction of acid consumption by more than 90%. This recycling process avoids wastewater discharge and could be scaled up with an acceptable energy consumption of 6.41 kW h kg(-1).