Stabilité des carboxylates de terres rares,II. Bis-hydroxyméthyl-2,2-propionates

The stability constants of 2, 2-bis-hydroxymethyl-propionates of rare earths have been determined at ionic strength 0,100 (NaClO₄) at 25.0°C by a potentiometric method. The ligand forms 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes with all the rare earths and weak 1 : 3 complexes with light rare earths only. In these last complexes, it binds in a unidentate way. The dissociation constant of the acid has also been measured.     

Stabilité des carboxylates de terres,III. Maléates,méthylsuccinates et malates

The stability constants of maleates, methylsuccinates and malates of rare earths have been determined at 25.0 °C and at ionic strength 0,100 (NaClO₄) by a potentiometric method. Each ligand forms 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes in aqueous solution, the malates being the most stable. The first and the second dissociation constants of the ligand acids were also measured. The 1 : 2 maleates of La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu have been isolated.     

Study on the cocolouration effect in the β-complex formation reactions of rare earths with p-chloro-chlorophosphonazo (CPApC)

Terbium- and yttrium-group rare earths form β-complexes with CPApC in acidic medium.The sensitivities for determination of these rare earths by this reaction depend on their ionic radii.Cerium- or terbium-group rare earth in the presence of yttrium-group element produces the cocolourationeffect which remarkably sensitizes the reaction. Yb-CPApC-Eu complex has a molar composition of1:4:2 and gives a molar absorptivity of 2. 02 ×10~5 L·mol~(-1)·cm~(-1) at 746 nm for Eu. It is found thatthe closer the lengths of ionic radii of the rare earths are, the greater will be the cocolouration effect.     

Separation of high purity gadolinium for reactor application by solvent extraction process

A solvent extraction process for the production of nuclear grade Gd₂O₃ for its applications in pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) from a crude concentrate of rare earths containing ~70 % Gd₂O₃ has been developed and tested on bench-scale and continuous counter-current operations. The separation of gadolinium from other rare earths with similar chemical properties has been successfully accomplished by adopting a dual cycle solvent extraction employing 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid, mono-2 ethylhexyl ester (EHEHPA) as an extractant. Taking advantage of the extraction order of rare earths with EHEHPA, in the first cycle, heavy rare earths including Tb, Dy and Y were separated in the product strip solution, while gadolinium was separated in the raffinate solution along with samarium and neodymium. In the second cycle, gadolinium was purified to the extent of >99.5 % with respect to other rare earths. Effects of process variables such as aqueous acidity, phase ratio, metal concentration in the aqueous feed, scrubbing and stripping acidity etc. on separation of terbium and other heavy rare earths in the first cycle and upgrading the purity of Gd₂O₃ in the second cycle have been investigated. The experimental conditions were optimized using computer simulation and validated by bench scale counter-current operations. Under optimized conditions of process parameters, continuous operations of mixer settler yielded kilogram quantity of nuclear pure Gd₂O₃ which was subsequently converted to gadolinium nitrate for PHWR application. The overall recovery was found to be >98 %.     

多壁碳纳米管对稀土元素的吸附性能

研究了改性多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)对稀土元素的吸附。 采用硝酸、次氯酸钠、过氧化氢、高锰酸钾4种方法对MWCNTs进行改性,考察了改性MWCNTs对稀土元素的吸附能力。 采用紫外-可见分光光度法测定稀土元素的浓度,比较了未处理和不同方法处理的MWCNTs对稀土元素的吸附能力。实验结果表明,NaClO改性的MWCNTs对稀土元素的吸附能力最强。以稀土元素钐(Sm)、钆(Gd)、镱(Yb)为代表,研究了NaClO改性MWCNTs对稀土元素的吸附性能。 考察了溶液pH值、离子强度、吸附剂用量、温度等因素对吸附性能的影响。当溶液pH值在2~7范围内,NaClO改性的MWCNTs对Sm、Gd、Yb的吸附随pH值增大而增强。 当离子强度和MWCNTs的用量增大时,对稀土元素的吸附能力降低。3种元素在NaClO改性的MWCNTs上的吸附均为放热过程,其反应焓变ΔH分别为：-6.44、-5.63和8.31 kJ/mol。吸附等温线符合Langmuir和Freundlich等温吸附方程。     

Magnetic Field Directed Rare‐Earth Separations

The separation of rare‐earth ions from one another is challenging due to their chemical and physical similarities. Nearly all rare‐earth separations rely upon small changes in ionic radii to direct speciation or reactivity. Herein, we show that the intrinsic magnetic properties of the rare‐earth ions impact the separations of light/heavy and selected heavy/heavy binary mixtures. Using TriNOx^3? ([{(2‐^tBuNO)C₆H₄CH₂}₃N]^3?) rare‐earth complexes, we efficiently and selectively crystallized heavy rare earths (Tb–Yb) from a mixture with light rare earths (La and Nd) in the presence of an external Fe₁₄Nd₂B magnet, concomitant with the introduction of a concentration gradient (decrease in temperature). The optimal separation was observed for an equimolar mixture of La:Dy, which gave an enrichment factor of EF_La:Dy=297±31 for the solid fraction, compared to EF_La:Dy=159±22 in the absence of the field, and achieving a 99.7 % pure Dy sample in one step. These results indicate that the application of a magnetic field can improve performance in a molecular separation system for paramagnetic rare‐earth cations.     

5: 6-Benzoquinaldinic acid as an analytical reagent: Determination of thorium and zirconium

Thorium and zirconium are determined in the presence of rare earths, alkaline earths and magnesium, when precipitated from weakly acid solution with 5:6-benzoquinaldinic acid. Thorium is completely precipitated at pH 3.0 as Th(C₁₄H₈O₂N)₄, but though zirconium is precipitated at the lower pH of 1.8, its composition is not stoichiometric and hence is ignited to the oxide before weighing. Co-precipitation of magnesium and alkaline earths is prevented by the addition of ammonium chloride.     

Étude par spectrométrie infra-rouge des complexes des terres rares avec l'oxyde de tri-n-butylphosphine á l'état solide

Tri-n-butylphosphine oxide (TBPO) reacts with rare earth nitrates to form complexes of general formula Me(NO₃)₃·3 TBPO. These complexes were studied by infrared spectrometry. The coordination of the nitrates is not the same along the lanthanide series. They are bidentate for the light rare earths and monodentate for the heavy earths. The P=O frequency does not vary monotonously when Z increases; there is a break for gadolinium. This is explained by an influence of backbonding, the decrease of the ionic radius and the coordination number.     

Separation and continuous determination of the light rare earth elements and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore by a micro-column

A method for continuous determination of the light rare earth elements (LREEs) and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore was established. The light rare earths and thorium were adsorbed on a micro-column packed with HD-8 cation exchange resins. The light rare earth elements were eluted with 4 mol L⁻¹ HCl–2 mol L⁻¹ NH₄Cl solution and determined with tribromo-arsenzao by a 721-E spectrophotometry at 630 nm; thorium was eluted with 5% potassium oxalate solution and determined with Arsenazo III by a 721-E spectrophotometry at 660 nm. The measured values by the proposed method were in close agreement with the certified values (Baotou main ore standard sample, Baotou ore R-715 standard sample and GSD-2 standard sample). The RSD of the light rare earths and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore were of <1.70% and <1.99%, respectively.     

Effects of amine-pretreatment of silica gel on the TLC behaviour of rare earths

The TLC behaviour of all the rare earths except Pm has been examined on silica gel pretreated with aqueous solutions of four different amines [iminodi-2-ethanol, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, nitrilotri-2-ethanol, and 1,3-diazole] in a 1 mol/l NH₄Cl solution. The Rf value of each metal decreased with increasing pKa value of the amines and also with increasing concentration and pH of the amine solution used for the pretreatment. The technique is simple and reproducible, and makes it possible to arbitrarily regulate the adsorbability of silica gel. Thus, the use of the amine-treated silica gels serves to develop many solvent systems for the separation of the rare earths.     

Study on the selective leaching of low-grade phosphate ore for beneficiation of phosphorus and rare earths using citric acid as leaching agent

In the study the organic/inorganic chemical leaching and enrichment technology were used for selective extraction of the dolomite which co-existed in the Zhijin low-grade phosphate ore for beneficiation phosphorous and rare earths (RE) by using citric acid as leaching agent. The effects of acid concentration, reaction time, reaction temperature, liquid/solid ratio, and particle size on P₂O₅ and rare earths grade and the recovery ratio of them were investigated. The results show that under the optimized experimental conditions (acid concentration 9%, reaction time 240 min, reaction temperature 40°C, liquid/solid ratio 50: 1, and ore particle size 0.18–0.125 mm) the P₂O₅ grade can be increased from 15.47 to 34.82%, and P₂O₅ recovery rate comes up to 88.02%. The rare earths are mainly enriched in the leaching residues. Meanwhile, the recovery rate of rare earths is 72.08%. ΣREO grade can be increased from 978.06 × 10^–4 to 1998 × 10^–4%. In addition, the reaction kinetics of the chemical reaction between citric acid and dolomite are also discussed, the results show that the leaching process is controlled by chemical reaction. The activation energy for leaching was found to be 36.6337 KJ mol^–1 and k₀ was 3.67×104 s^–1, and the rate of the leaching based on the chemical reaction-controlled process could be expressed as 1–(1–a)^1/3 = 3.67 × 10⁴e^–36.63/RTt. Compare to the conventional process, the method provided in this study not only has advantages including higher phosphate concentration and rare earth grade, and higher recovery rate, but also using less amount of chemicals. Meanwhile, the citric acid can be recycled, avoiding discharge wastewater.     

Rare earth element complexation by fluoride ions in aqueous solution

Rare earth fluoride stability constants for Ce, Eu, Gd, Tb and Yb at 25°C have been determined by examining the influence of fluoride ions on the distribution of rare earths between tributyl phosphate (TBP) and 0.68M NaClO₄. Our results indicate that rare earth mono and difluoro complexation constants show a steady increase as a function of atomic number from La to Tb but remain relatively constant after Dy. This behavior is similar to that which has been observed for dicarboxylic acids. Stepwise stability constant ratios, K₂/K₁, obtained in our work (where K₁=[MF²⁺][M³⁺]^–1[F^–]^–1 and K₂=[MF ₂ ⁺ ]^–1[MF²⁺]^–1[F^–]^–1) indicated that, for all rare earths, K₂/K₁=0.09±0.03.     

Role of Cyanex-272 as an extractant for uranium in the determination of rare earths by ICP-AES

A chemical separation procedure has been developed for the extraction of uranium from some of the crucially important rare earths using a novel extractant viz. Cyanex-272 (2,4,4-trimethyl pentyl phosphinic acid). The near total extraction of uranium and quantitative separation of rare earth elements has been validated using inductively coupled argon plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The recovery of some of the representative elements has been confirmed by radioactive tracer studies. The back extraction of uranium from the organic phase was carried out using a solution of 0.5M Na₂CO₃ which resulted in a near total recovery of uranium into the organic phase. These studies have enabled determination of sub ppm amounts of the analyte elements with a precision of 5% RSD utilizing prior chemical separation of rare earths from 1 g uranium samples in just three extractions with Cyanex-272.     

Anion Exchange Separation of Rare Earths in Methanol-Nitric Acid Mixed Solutions I. Study on the Distribution Coefficients and Column Elution Method

Anion exchange method for the mutual separation of rare earth was studied in methanol-nitric acid mixed solutions. For each of rare earth element, the distribution coefficients in different concentrations of nitric acid and also in various compositions of methanol solution were studied with the batch equilibrium method. From these distribution coefficients, elution of rare earth by gradient variation in the compositions of methonal was devised. That is, by keeping constant nitric acid at 2 N acidity and gradiently diluting methanol from its original 80% by volume. Results were satisfactory for the mutual separation of the lighter rare earths, but only fairly for the heavier earths. The secondary metal effect for this anion exchange was also studied in 80% by volume of methanol solution by keeping total concentration of nitrate at 0.8 N. Distribution coefficients were larger than nitric acid with LiNO₃ but smaller in the case of NH₄NO₃ and NaNO₃. Despite of these difference in distribution coefficients, no remarkable differences were observed for the separation factors of adjacent pairs.     

Reaction between rare earth elements and HFNO2 solution

Rare earth elements react with HFNO₂ solution to produce nitrosylium fluorometallates (NO)_xLnF_x+3. The value of x is 1.0 or 1.5 for light rare earth elements and 0.5 or 1.0 for heavy rare earths. Nitrosylium fluorometallates of rare earth elements can be decomposed into the simple fluoride and nitrosyl fluoride at low temperatures (46–68°C).     

Composés d'addition des chlorures de terres rares avec le méthanol,l'éthanol et le propanol-2. Préparations,solubilités et réactions de transsolvatation

By reaction of hydrated rare earths chlorides (M = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, Y) with orthoformates, the following adducts have been prepared: MCl₃· 4MeOH, MCl₃ ·3EtOH (M = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb), MCl₄ · 4 EtOH (M = Dy, Er, Y); adducts MCl₃ · 3iso-PrOH have been prepared by successive action of methyl orthoformate and of 2-propanol. The solubilities of these adducts in the corresponding alcohols at 25° (for the lanthanum adducts equally at 0 and 50°) are given. Two examples of the transsolvatation of these compounds, yielding adducts with weakligands, are described.     

对甲基二溴偶氮胂的合成及其与稀土显色反应的研究

本文报道了对甲基二溴偶氮胂的合成,该显色剂在酸性介质中与稀土元素产生高灵敏度显色反应,大多数常见元素不干扰,所拟分析方法已成功地应用于小麦和铝合金中稀土总量的测定     

偶氮氯膦Ⅲ吸光光度法测定轻、重稀土元素和钇

本文研究了稀土元素与偶氮氯膦Ⅲ的α型及β型显色反应。在一定条件下,重稀土元素(Gd-Lu)同偶氮氯膦Ⅲ螯合物可由α型转变成β型,其中钇的螯合物转成β型倾向最大,而轻稀土元素在相同条件下仅形成α型,利用Zn-EDTA和Zn-CyDTA的掩蔽效应,可扩大显色反应的差异性。提出了在HCl-NaAc介质中分别测定轻、重稀土元素及钇的方法:在pH2.9-3.4范围内,用Zn-CyDTA作掩蔽剂,可在重稀土存在下测定轻稀土元素。在pH1.8-2.4和pH2.8-3.6,用Zn-EDTA、NaF或NaF作掩蔽剂可分别测定钇及重稀土元素。     

Extraction chromatographic separation of thorium (IV) with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO)

Thorium was extracted from a mixture of nitric acid and NaNO₃ of 0.01M each at pH 2.2 on a column of silica gel coated with TOPO. Thorium was separated from alkalis, alkaline earths, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead, trivalent rare earths, platinum group metals, chloride, phosphate and acetate in binary mixtures by selective extraction of thorium. Thorium was separated from cerium (IV), zirconium, uranium and molybdenum by selective elution of thorium with 0.01M H₂SO₄. The method was extended for the analysis of thorium in monozite ore.     

An accurate procedure for the determination of the rare earths by neutron activation

The principal steps in a well-tested procedure for analysis of the rare earths in rocks and minerals are: irradiation of powdered rock samples along with a standard solution mixture of rare-earth nitrates; dissolution of the rock powder in the presence of carrier, using Na₂O₂ fusion; separation of the rare-earth group from the silicate residue by a sequence of hydroxide and oxalate precipitations; separation of the individual rare earths in samples and irradiated standards by ion exchange; chemical yield determination by EDTA titration; radioassay by beta or gamma counting. The average precision for duplicate analyses by different analysts was found to be better than ±4 percent mean deviation for a shale with a total rare-earth content of 200 ppm.