Rare Earth Elements: Theory, Properties and Applications

The rare-earth elements (REEs) or lanthanides refer to a group of 17 nearly identical lustrous silvery-white soft heavy metals. These comprise the 15 lanthanides listed on the periodic table as well as yttrium and scandium. REEs are lustrous but they tarnish in air. The rare earth metals have high electrical conductivity. There are extremely minute differences in the solubility and complex formation between these elements. Lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and yttrium are the most abundant rare ...