Thermal decomposition and oxidation of bastnaesite concentrate in inert and oxidative atmosphere

To clearly elucidate the oxidative roasting behaviors of the bastnaesite, the thermal decomposition and oxidation of the bastnaesite concentrate in inert and oxidative atmosphere have been investigated in detail. Experimental data indicated that the initial decomposition temperature of the concentrate under N₂ atmosphere is 150 °C higher than that under O₂ atmosphere, most likely because the oxidation of the cerium induces the decomposition of the concentrate. For the roasted samples under N₂ atmosphere at 500 °C and above, the oxidation efficiency of the cerium is 19.8%–26.8% because of the fact that rare-earth fluorocarbonate is first decomposed to form rare-earth oxyfluoride and CO₂, and the cerium oxyfluoride is then partially oxidized by the CO₂ gas. The rest cerium in these samples can be further oxidized in air at room temperature, with the oxidation efficiency of the cerium gradually increasing to above 80% in 7 d. This can be attributed to the obvious changes in the inner morphology of the roasted samples under N₂ atmosphere at high temperatures, which largely induce the diffusion of the air and improves the oxidation activity of CeOF, and further induces the oxidation of CeOF by the air. XRD and XPS techniques were used to further verify the significant differences in the thermal decomposition behaviors of the bastnaesite concentrate under N₂ and O₂ atmosphere. Moreover, no oxidation of Pr³⁺ to Pr⁴⁺ in the roasted samples under both N₂ and O₂ atmosphere is observed. This gives an overall understanding of the oxidative roasting of the bastnaesite concentrate without additives.