| METALS AND METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES |
|
|
|
|
|
| Strategic Applications and Sustainable Development of Scandium: Cutting-progress and Challenges |
| ZHU Lei1,2,3, BA Junbo1,2,3, WANG Fei1,2,3,*, XU Baoqiang1,2,3, YANG Bin1,2,3
|
1 National Engineering Research Center of Vacuum Metallurgy, Kunming 650093, China;
2 Key Laboratory for Nonferrous Vacuum Metallurgy of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650093, China;
3 State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China |
|
|
|
|
Abstract Scandium, a rare earth element, is a critical non-renewable strategic resource, and its sustainable development holds global significance for strategic industries and ecological security. This review systematically analyzes the global resource distribution and industrial status of scandium, summarizes its core applications and mechanisms across multiple fields, explores innovative applications in interdisciplinary frontiers such as environmental science, biomedical imaging, and solid-state lighting. A concise overview is provided on scandium enrichment and recovery from bauxite, vanadium-titanium magnetite, and lateritic nickel ores. Future strategies for sustainable scandium development should prioritize: (1) advancing novel extraction technologies (e.g., integrated pyro-hydrometallurgical processes), (2) expanding high-end applications, (3) fully leveraging "urban mining" potential. Additionally, breakthroughs in scandium-based materials must be achieved, coupled with establishing a tripartite system integrating extraction technology upgrades, application innovation, and closed-loop recycling, thereby strengthening the foundation for scandium's sustainable strategic utilization.
|
|
Published: 10 March 2026
Online: 2026-03-10
|
|
|
|
|
1 Haynes W M. CRC handbook of chemistry and physics, CRC Press, U.S., 2016.
2 Damhus T, Hartshorn R M, Hutton A T. Chemistry International, 2005, 27, 25.
3 Wen T, Zhao Z, Wang D H, et al. Natural Resource Science Popularization and Culture, 2019(3), 15(in Chinese)
文图, 赵芝, 王登红, 等. 自然资源科普与文化, 2019(3), 15.
4 Greenwood N N, Earnshaw A. Chemistry of the elements, Elsevier, 2012, pp. 944.
5 Staff U S. Mineral Commodity Summaries, DOI:10.3133/mcs2024.
6 Cotton F A, Wilkinson G, Murillo C A, et al. Advanced inorganic che-mistry, John Wiley & Sons, 1999.
7 Cotton S A. Annual Reports Section" A"(Inorganic Chemistry), 2009, 105, 276.
8 Liao C S, Xu G, Jia J T, et al. Journal of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, 2001, 19(4), 289(in Chinese).
廖春生, 徐刚, 贾江涛, 等. 中国稀土学报, 2001, 19(4), 289.
9 Li L, Jiang F, Li H G. Rare Metals and Cemented Carbides, 2002(3), 38(in Chinese).
李力, 姜锋, 李汉广. 稀有金属与硬质合金, 2002(3), 38.
10 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Guidance Catalog for the First Batch Application Demonstration of Key New Materials. Unified Data Retrieval Platform(in Chinese). https://www.miit.gov.cn/jgsj/ycls/wjfb/art/2023/art_ab5763e8c08844ea990d9313bd239643.html.
工业和信息化部. 《重点新材料首批次应用示范指导目录》. 数据统一检索平台. https://www.miit.gov.cn/jgsj/ycls/wjfb/art/2023/art_ab5763e8c08844ea990d9313bd239643.html.
11 People's Government of Jiangxi Province, Rare Earth Information, 2020(2), 31(in Chinese).
江西省人民政府. 稀土信息, 2020(2), 31.
12 China NoN-Ferrous Metals Industry Association. China Nonferrous Metals, 2022(3), 29(in Chinese).
中国有色金属工业协会. 中国有色金属, 2022(3), 29.
13 The State Council of the People's Republic of China. Gazette of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (No. 785), 2024(20), 24 (in Chinese).
中华人民共和国国务院. 中华人民共和国国务院公报(第785号), 2024(20), 24.
14 Sinclair L, Coe N M. Resources Policy, 2024, 91, 104860.
15 U. S. Geological Survey. Mineral commodity summaries 2023, Reston, VA: U. S. Geological Survey, 2023.
16 Bazilian M, Clough G, Akamboe J, et al. The State of Critical Minerals Report 2023. Golden, CO: Global Energy Future Initiative, 2023-09-26.
17 U. S. Department of Energy. Critical minerals and materials program. Washington, D. C. : U. S. Department of Energy, 2023.
18 Wu D T, Zhao Y D, Jiang P, et al. Geology and Resources, 2023, 32(2), 185(in Chinese).
吴大天, 赵院冬, 姜平, 等. 地质与资源, 2023, 32(2), 185.
19 Zhi W K, Wang F, Chen X Y, et al. Journal of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, 2024, 42(1), 13 (in Chinese).
智文科, 王飞, 陈晓怡, 等. 中国稀土学报, 2024, 42(1), 13.
20 Wang Z, Li M Y H, Liu Z R R, et al. Ore Geology Reviews, 2021, 128, 103906.
21 Wang J S, Chen X, Zhu D, et al. Journal of Earth Sciences & Environment, 2023, 45(5), 1094(in Chinese).
王进寿, 陈鑫, 朱丹, 等. 地球科学与环境学报, 2023, 45(5), 1094.
22 Dong F, Gao L K, Chen L, et al. Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, 2016(4), 21(in Chinese).
董方, 高利坤, 陈龙, 等. 矿产综合利用, 2016(4), 21.
23 Song X Y, She Y W, Luan Y, et al. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 2024, 43(1), 218(in Chinese).
宋谢炎, 佘宇伟, 栾燕, 等. 矿物岩石地球化学通报, 2024, 43(1), 218.
24 Huang X G, Luo G Q, Li Y P. Nonferrous Metals:Mineral Processing Section, 2016(6), 1(in Chinese).
黄霞光, 罗国清, 李亚平. 有色金属:选矿部分, 2016 (6), 1.
25 Wang J S, An Y W, Fu Y W, et al. Qinghai Science and Technology, 2021, 28(6), 45(in Chinese).
王进寿, 安永尉, 付彦文, 等. 青海科技, 2021, 28(6), 45.
26 Sun J, Liu Y L, Cui T. Resources & Industries, 2019, 21(2), 74(in Chinese).
孙军, 刘云龙, 崔滔. 资源与产业, 2019, 21(2), 74.
27 Zhao H J, Chen X F, Li N, et al. China Mining Magazine, 2019, 28(4), 57(in Chinese).
赵宏军, 陈秀法, 李娜, 等. 中国矿业, 2019, 28(4), 57.
28 Kunming Zhongdiyuan Mining Co., Ltd. Mineral Exploration, 2020, 11(11), 2490(in Chinese).
昆明中地源矿业有限公司. 矿产勘查, 2020, 11(11), 2490.
29 Liu F Y, Xie Z Y, Li C X, et al. Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, 2023(4), 177(in Chinese).
刘飞燕, 谢志远, 李成秀, 等. 矿产综合利用, 2023(4), 177.
30 Wang L M, Chen P. Northwestern Geology, 2020, 53(3), 86(in Chinese).
王利民, 陈佩. 西北地质, 2020, 53(3), 86.
31 Liu S, Fan H R, Santosh M, et al. International Geology Review, 2023, 65(19), 3065.
32 Feng K, Xiao Y W, Li L. Nonferrous Metals (Mineral Processing Section), 2021(6), 6(in Chinese).
冯凯, 肖仪武, 李磊. 有色金属(选矿部分), 2021(6), 6.
33 Power Engineering Division, Rosatom. Key Operating Results in 2023. Moscow: Rosatom, 2023.
34 Zhi W K. Fundamental Research on phase equilibrium and scandium enrichment in scandium-containing metallurgical slag. Ph. D. Thesis, Kunming University of Science and Technology, China, 2023(in Chinese).
智文科. 含钪冶金渣相平衡及富集钪的基础研究. 博士学位论文, 昆明理工大学, 2023.
35 Wang P. Experimental study on scandium extraction from anatase extraction residue and preparation of titanium-rich material. Master's Thesis, Kunming University of Science and Technology, China, 2018(in Chinese).
王鹏. 从锐钛矿萃取渣中提钪及制备富钛料试验研究. 硕士学位论文, 昆明理工大学, 2018.
36 Phoung S, Williams E, Gaustad G, et al. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2023, 401, 136673.
37 Lin H C. Rare Earth Information, 2008(12), 31(in Chinese).
林河成. 稀土信息, 2008(12), 31.
38 Bayoumy D, Boll T, Karapuzha A S, et al. Materials (Basel), 2023, 16(24), 7586.
39 Gao R, Ku H S, Deng H, et al. Advanced Materials, 2022, 34(32), e2201268.
40 Xiong B Q, Yan H W, Zhang Y A, et al. Strategic Study of CAE, 2023, 25(1), 88(in Chinese).
熊柏青, 闫宏伟, 张永安, 等. 中国工程科学, 2023, 25(1), 88.
41 Williams J C, Starke Jr E A. Acta Materialia, 2003, 51(19), 5775.
42 Røyset J, Ryum N. International Materials Reviews, 2005, 50(1), 19.
43 Norman A F, Prangnell P B, Mcewen R S. Acta Materialia, 1998, 46(16), 5715.
44 Marquis E A, Seidman D N. Acta Materialia, 2001, 49(11), 1909.
45 Zhou J F, Liu C Y, He K Z, et al. Heliyon, 2024, 10(2), e24428.
46 Wang X Q, Wang Y, Jia Q, et al. Rare Metals, 2023, 42(3), 838.
47 He J, Jia Q, Ding Z, et al. Crystals, 2024, 14(2), 200.
48 Xu P, Jiang F, Jiang J, et al. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 26, 5910.
49 Ding J, Ding X, Chen R, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 499, 155878.
50 Zhang J, Ding X, Chen R, et al. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 25, 5227.
51 Kula A, Silva C J, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2017, 727, 642.
52 Mordike B L, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2005, 36, 1729.
53 Zhang C, Wu L, Liu H, et al. Corrosion Science, 2020, 174, 108831.
54 Wang Z, Liu J, Han S, et al. Advanced Functional Materials, 2025, 35(7), 2414264.
55 Zhao S, Wang H, Liu J. Materials (Basel), 2021, 14(2), 276.
56 Xu Y, Zhou Y, Li Y, et al. Molecules, 2024, 29(11), 2525.
57 Tang Y, Ding L P, Dou X L, et al. Inorganic Chemistry, 2022, 61(39), 15569.
58 Liu H Q. Preparation of Sc-containing titanium alloys and related fundamental studies. Master's Thesis, Central South University, China, 2009 (in Chinese).
刘会群. 含钪钛合金的制备及其相关基础问题研究. 硕士学位论文, 中南大学, 2009.
59 Zhong X Y, Deng T S, Zhu Z Y, et al. Metal Heat Treatment, 2022, 47(7), 40(in Chinese)
钟修杨, 邓同生, 朱志云, 等. 金属热处理, 2022, 47(7), 40.
60 Xiao W L, Wu S Q, Ping D H, et al. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2012, 136(2-3), 1015.
61 Maeshima T, Nishida M. Materials Transactions, 2004, 45(4), 1101.
62 Tong X, Sun Q, Zhang D, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2021, 134, 791.
63 Deng T, Li S, Liang Y, et al. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2020, 9(3), 5676.
64 Xue R, Tian Y, Yang B, et al. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2025, 1022, 179873.
65 Munir K, Lin J, Wen C, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2020, 102, 493.
66 Xue Q, Huang X, Wang L, et al. Materials & Design, 2017, 114, 297.
67 Ikesue A, Aung Y L, Yoda T, et al. Optical Materials, 2007, 29(10), 1289.
68 Zu J H, Gao Y, Liu D, et al. Ceramics International, 2024, 50(11), 20460.
69 Kobayashi S. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1999, 1999(1), 15.
70 Shibasaki M, Yoshikawa N. Chemical Reviews, 2002, 102(6), 2187.
71 Nishiura M, Guo F, Hou Z. Accounts of Chemical Research, 2015, 48(8), 2209.
72 Tan C, Chen M, Chen C. Trends in Chemistry, 2023, 5(2), 147.
73 Wang Y, Huang L, Hou Z, et al. Polymer Chemistry, 2023, 14(7), 828.
74 Xue Q N, Wang L G, Huang X W, et al. Materials & Design, 2018, 160, 131.
75 Jung H Y, Hong K S, Jung H G, et al. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2007, 154(5), B480.
76 Herbstritt D, Warga C, Weber A, et al. ECS Proceedings Volumes, 2001, 2001-16, 349.
77 Ambarwati V, Mubarok M Z, Purwanto A. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2024, 313, 128726.
78 Bhuvaneswari S, Varadaraju U V, Gopalan R, et al. Electrochimica Acta, 2019, 301, 342.
79 Lin B X, Lin X Y, Xing Z Y. Journal of the Chinese Society of Rare Earths, 2021, 39(5), 682(in Chinese).
林碧霞, 林小燕, 邢震宇. 中国稀土学报, 2021, 39(5), 682.
80 Zhang H, Zeng Z, Shi X, et al. EcoMat, 2023, 5(3), e12315.
81 Su Y, Wen K, Yang Z, et al. Langmuir, 2025, 41(6), 4210.
82 Pillai R S, Benoit V, Orsi A, et al. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2015, 119(41), 23592.
83 Hernandez R, Valdovinos H F, Yang Y, et al. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2014, 11(8), 2954.
84 Trencsényi G, Képes Z. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023, 24(8), 7400.
85 Lu Q T, Ni F S, Chen Y C. Shanghai Nonferrous Metals, 1995(3), 160(in Chinese).
陆庆桃, 倪福生, 陈寅初. 上海有色金属, 1995(3), 160.
86 Chen X Y. Study on the fundamental phase relations and thermodynamics of Sc-rich slag systems in vanadium-titanium magnetite. Master's Thesis, Kunming University of Science and Technology, China, 2022 (in Chinese).
陈晓怡. 钒钛磁铁矿富钪渣系基础相关系及热力学研究. 硕士学位论文, 昆明理工大学, 2022.
87 Wang L F, Yan Y E. Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, 2022, 43(4), 21(in Chinese).
王录锋, 闫月娥. 矿产综合利用, 2022, 43(4), 21.
88 Cao W, Hua J, Jin X, et al. Molecules, 2024, 29, 4766.
89 Jiang C J, Lei Z C, Fan Z P. Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, 2024, 45(2), 185(in Chinese).
蒋常菊, 雷占昌, 范志平. 矿产综合利用, 2024, 45(2), 185.
90 Habibi H, Mokmeli M, Shakibania S, et al. Separation and Purification Technology, 2023, 317, 123882.
91 Anawati J, Azimi G. Waste Manag, 2019, 95, 549.
92 Anawati J, Azimi G. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 330, 129905.
93 Li W, Li Z, Wang N, et al. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2022, 10(6), 108650.
94 Zhou Z, Ma B, Wang C, et al. Minerals Engineering, 2022, 188, 107844.
95 Nie H, Wang Y, Wang Y, et al. Hydrometallurgy, 2018, 175, 117.
96 Ramasamy D L, Puhakka V, Repo E, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2018, 341, 351.
97 Zhang M, Shang S, Li H, et al. Separation and Purification Technology, 2025, 362, 131893. |
|
|
|
渝公网安备50019002502923号 © Editorial Office of Materials Reports.
2026, Vol. 40 
