High speed separation of the light rare earths on centri-fugally accelerated ion-exchange paper

The separation of the rare earths, La, Cc, Pr, Nd, Sm and Y on centrifugally accelerated Amberlitc SA-2 cation-exchange paper was studied. All combinations of the elements can be completely separated except the Pr-Nd pair by using as cluant glycolic acid of a 'properly-chosen concentration (0.30 or 0.40 M) and pH (3.0 to 4.5). The Pr-Nd pair can be partially separated. The average number of ligand glycolato ions per rare earth ion in the resin phase was determined for each rare earth over the pa range 0.7 to 1.0.