Highlighting the selective properties of carbamoylmethylphosphonated hydrosoluble polymers for Gd(III)/Th(IV)/U(VI) separation

Abstract In this work, the investigation of thermosensitive behvior of P(CPAAm6C) highlighted the formation of particle with a an averaged radius about 1940 nm in nitric acid. While hPCPAAm6C) does not exibit thermosensitive behavior, it was shown this polymer had floculation properties. The selective sorption properties of two valuable carbamoylmethylphosphonated-based polymers regarding to Th/U/Gd mixtures were studied. The influence of the total concentration of cations on the sorption of each cation was investigated. In the case of P(CPAAm6C), sorption experiments evidenced that the Q max ( Th ) should be higher than 1.5 mmol · g-1. Sorption results with hPCPAAm6C) evidenced that Q max ( U ) should be higher than 2.75 mmol · g-1. Moreover, the results highlighted the different selectivities between the carbamoylmethylphosphonate and carbamoylmethylphosphonic diacid functions. The phase separation behavior and selectivity will be of great interest for the design of a future environmental-friendly process for hydrometallurgical treatments of rare earth ores.