Enhanced Separation of Sm and La from Sm2O3-La2O3 Mixtures Based on a Reduction–Oxidation Method

Abstract

The Sm2O3-La2O3 mixture was converted to the component chlorides, and Sm and La were separated from the chlorides using the reduction–oxidation method based on the chemical valence variation of Sm. In the reduction stage, samarium (III) chloride was reduced to samarium (II) chloride using hydrogen. In the oxidation stage, samarium (II) chloride was oxidized by water to SmCl3 and water-insoluble SmOCl. After filter separation of SmOCl, the Sm2O3 content in the initial La2O3-Sm2O3 mixture was reduced by ~ 50 pct. These results demonstrate an innovative method for pyrometallurgical separation of Sm and La from Sm2O3-La2O3 mixtures.