Split-anion solvent extraction of light rare earths from concentrated chloride aqueous solutions to nitrate organic ionic liquids.

ABSTRACT: Despite its benefits, the extraction of rare earths (REEs) from chloride solutions with neutral or basic extractants is not efficient, so that separation is currently carried out by using acidic extractants. This work aims to improve this process by replacing the conventional molecular diluents in the organic phase by ionic liquids (ILs) which contain coordinating anions. The extraction of La(iii), Ce(iii) and Pr(iii) from concentrated chloride solutions was tested with a quaternary ammonium and a phosphonium nitrate IL extractant. Dissolution of a trialkylphosphine oxide neutral extractant (Cyanex 923) in the nitrate ILs changed the preference of the organic phase from lighter to heavier REE and increased the overall extraction efficiency and the loading capacity of the organic phase. An

SUBMITTER: Regadio M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9087025 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature