Selective separation of yttrium from rare earth elements by ion interaction chromatography. Analytical and larger scale applications

Abstract

ABSTRACTNew ion interaction chromatographic (IIC) method employing Kromasil 100 C18 column and tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as an ion interaction reagent (IIR) is able to separate yttrium from Rare Earth Elements (REE) as anionic complexes with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). New method for the chromatographic determination of Y in REE mixture was devised and validated by the analysis of the certified reference material (CRM). Potential possibilities of the new chromatographic system for larger scale applications including macro-micro events were demonstrated.