Abstract
A type of functionalized ionic liquid extractant, tributylmethylammonium dibutyldiglycolamate ([A336][BDGA]), was synthesized, and its extraction ability of light rare earth elements, namely, La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III) and Nd(III), wascompared with that of other functionalized ionic liquid extractants, including tributylmethylammonium dioctyldiglycolamate and diglycolic amide extractants N,N,N,N-tetrabutyl-3-oxapentane-diamide (TBDGA) and N,N,N,N-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-diamide (TODGA). The study of extraction behavior indicated that the ionic liquids exhibited better extraction properties than the amides under lower acidity conditions. The effects of the pH and concentration of the extractant on the extraction behavior of [A336][BDGA] on light rare earths were determined. A separation strategy of mixed light rare earths was investigated by means of extraction chromatography using [A336][BDGA] as the stationary phase. As a result, nearly pure La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III) and Nd(III) were obtained, respectively. A new strategy of separating mixed light rare earths was established by means of extraction chromatography. The stationary phase of [A336][BDGA] was used in this strategy. The four rare earths elements, La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III) and Nd(III), achieved baseline separation.
Highlights
The rare earths (REs), which comprise scandium, yttrium and the lanthanide metallic elements, are widely used in traditional industries and modern material industries, since they show excellent luminescence, electronic, magnetic and thermological properties
It cannot be ignored that the butyl groups showed a positive effect on the extraction ability in both diglycolamide and ionic liquids extractants
Significant research has been focused on the excellent extraction ability of TODGA, and investigating its extraction behaviors, and
Summary
The rare earths (REs), which comprise scandium, yttrium and the lanthanide metallic elements, are widely used in traditional industries and modern material industries, since they show excellent luminescence, electronic, magnetic and thermological properties. To obtain their best properties, high purity is necessary in most cases. Due to their similar chemical and physical properties, the separation of rare earths has been a challenge for decades. Application of BDGA in light rare-earths extraction and separation
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