Recycling of waste phosphors using high gradient magnetic separation method

Abstract

Magnetic separation of a phosphor having high magnetic susceptibility from waste phosphors was tried using a high gradient magnetic separator. Since the green phosphor LAP (LaPO₄: Ce, Tb) has high magnetic susceptibility, it could be separated by this method. Repeating the separation procedure, most LAP could be recovered, and LAP purity of 87% was obtained. This method is a promising method of separating a single species of phosphor.