Protein-containing composition and method for separating rare earth elements by using protein-containing composition

Provided herein are methods and materials for preferentially separating rare earth elements (REEs) from non-rare earth elements and separating certain rare earth elements from other rare earth elements alone or in groups in rare earth element-containing materials. Such methods comprise the steps of: (a) providing a protein that can selectively bind to one or more REEs; (b) contacting the protein with a REE-containing material, wherein the protein binds to at least a portion of the one or more REEs to form one or more protein-REE complexes and a REE-poor material; (c) separating the one or more protein-REE complexes from at least a portion of the REE-depleted material; (d) separating the one or more REEs from the protein to produce a purified component of the one or more REEs and a regenerated protein. 本文提供用于在含稀土元素的材料中优先将稀土元素(REE)与非稀土元素分离以及将某些稀土元素与其他稀土元素单独或成组分离的方法和材料。此类方法包括以下步骤：(a)提供一种可选择性结合一种或多种REE的蛋白质；(b)使蛋白质与含REE材料接触，其中蛋白质结合一种或多种REE的至少一部分以形成一种或多种蛋白质-REE复合物和贫REE材料；(c)将一种或多种蛋白质-REE复合物与至少一部分贫REE材料分离；(d)将一种或多种R