Abstract: A method for recovery of rare earth elements includes forming a rare earth containing ionic solution comprising an ionic liquid and a solvent having one or more rare earth elements dissolved therein. The method also includes adding a polar protic solvent to the rare earth containing ionic solution, and applying an electrical potential across the rare earth containing ionic solution. The method further includes collecting a deposit of at least one rare earth element on at least one electrode disposed in the rare earth containing ionic solution, and recovering the deposit of at least one rare earth element from the at least one electrode. Additional methods for recovery of rare earth elements are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of recovering an elemental rare earth metal comprises placing a rare earth-containing material comprising a rare earth metal in a reaction solution comprising a reducing agent and a non-aqueous solvent comprising an ionic liquid or a eutectic mixture, reducing the rare earth metal with the reducing agent to form a metallic rare earth metal and cations of the reducing agent, transferring the cations of the reducing agent from the reaction solution to an electrochemical cell through an ion exchange membrane, and reducing the cations of the reducing agent in the electrochemical cell. Related methods of forming an elemental rare earth metal, and related systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of removing of recovering an elemental rare earth metal comprises placing a rare earth-containing material comprising a rare earth metal in a reaction solution comprising a reducing agent and a non-aqueous solvent comprising an ionic liquid or a eutectic mixture, reducing the rare earth metal with the reducing agent to form a metallic rare earth metal and cations of the reducing agent, transferring the cations of the reducing agent from the reaction solution to an electrochemical cell through an ion exchange membrane, and reducing the cations of the reducing agent in the electrochemical cell. Related methods of forming an elemental rare earth metal, and related systems are disclosed.