Solvent extraction and separation of light rare earth elements (La, Pr and Nd) in the presence of lactic acid as a complexing agent by Cyanex 272 in kerosene and the effect of citric acid, acetic acid and Titriplex III as auxiliary agents

Abstract

At present, the use of rare earth elements (REEs) has become an inevitable necessity in many modern industries. In general, liquid extraction is the best commercial method for extracting REEs due to its ability to control high volumes of liquids with electrical load. With the aim of improving a separation technology that would be superior to the existing extraction systems, the extraction behaviors of La(III), Pr(III), and Nd(III) from an HCl medium with Cyanex 272 in the presence of the complexing agent lactic acid (HLac) and auxiliary agents citric acid (H3Cit), acetic acid (HAc), and Titriplex III have been reported. The effect of pH and lactic acid concentration has been examined. The use of lactic acid as a complexing agent leading to a high extraction of REEs with Cyanex 272 at pH = 5 was compared with systems without lactic acid. The results show that the use of acetic acid along with lactic acid leads to an increase in the extraction percentage of LREEs. While use of citric acid and Titriplex III reduces the extraction percentage of LREEs. Finally, the presence of Titriplex III together with lactic acid could lead to an increase in the separation factor of Pr and Nd.