Selective extraction and recovery of rare earth metals from phosphor powders in waste fluorescent lamps using an ionic liquid system

- Recycling of rare earth metals from fluorescent lamps was conducted by ionic liquid-mediated extraction.
- Acid leaching from a waste phosphor powder was carried out using sulfuric and nitric acids.
- An ionic liquid was used as extracting solvent for the rare earth metals.
- Selective extraction of rare earth metals from leach solutions was attained.
- The extracting ionic liquid phase was recyclable in the recovery process.