Thermodynamic Analysis of Cerium(III) Extraction from Sulfate Solutions with Salts of Quaternary Ammonium Bases

Cerium(III) distribution between an aqueous sulfate solution and a solution of trialkylbenzylammonium sulfate in xylene was studied. The Ce(III) distribution coefficient grows with increasing pH. The extraction is provided by the formation of cerium mono- and disulfate complexes in the aqueous phase. Schemes of extraction equilibria are proposed and Gibbs energies and equilibrium constants are found.