Kinetics and Mechanism of Yb(III) Extraction and Separation from Y(III) with Mixtures of bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid and2‐ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester

Abstract

The ytterbium(III) extraction kinetics and mechanism with mixtures of bis(2,4,4‐trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex272) and 2‐ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester (P507) dissolved in heptane have been investigated by constant interfacial cell with laminar flow. The effects of the stirring rate, temperature, extractant concentration, and pH on the extraction with mixtures of Cyanex272 and P507 have been studied. The results are compared with those of the system with Cyanex272 or P507 alone. It is concluded that the Yb(III) extraction rate is enhanced with mixtures extractant of Cyanex272 and P507 according to their values of the extraction rate constant, which is due to decreasing the activation energy of the mixtures. Atthe same time, the mixtures exhibits no synergistic effects for Y(III), which provides better possibilities for Yb(III) and Y(III) separations at a proper conditions than anyone alone. Moreover, thermodynamic extraction separation Yb(III) and Y(III) by the mixtures has been discussed, which agrees with kinetics results. Extraction rate equations have also been obtained, and through the approximate solutions of the flux equation, diffusion parameters and thickness of the diffusion film have been calculated.