Evaluation of extraction behaviour of techno metal neodymium from nitrate feed using Tri-n-hexylamine di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphate as extractant

Abstract

The rare earths are presently considered as the critical elements by the European Union. High technological use of neodymium as neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnet resulted in more demand and dearth of supply of this rare earth. This has initiated efforts on an urgent basis to find alternative resources for potential recovery of neodymium. This present investigation focuses on study of the extraction profile of neodymium from the aqueous nitrate feed using a bifunctional ionic liquid comprised of trihexylamine di-2-ethyl hexyl phosphate in kerosene. The variations in shaking time, salt concentration, aqueous phase pH, diluting agents, Nd3+ concentration, temperature were performed in order to know their impact on the extraction were analyzed. Results indicated that the extraction percentage increases when salt concentration as well as with extractant concentration increased. Extraction becomes 99.1% with 2 M NaNO3 at pH 3 using 0.1 M of the ionic liquid. Increase in the aqueous feed pH also increased extraction percentage while temperature showed negative impact. The amine based ionic liquid has been found as a potential extractant for Nd extraction from nitrate medium.