Synergistic extraction of Eu(III) and Nd(III) from aqueous medium using a mixture of sulfasalazine and 1,10-phenanthroline

Solvent extraction of Eu(III) and Nd(III) from aqueous medium was investigated by sulfasalazine in benzoyl alcohol as single extractant and then with synergic mixture of sulfasalazine and 1,10-phenanthroline in benzyl alcohol. The synergic mixture was found to extract studied rare earth elements with higher distribution coefficients. All cations studied have shown negligible effect on the extraction, whereas citrate and oxalate interfered seriously. The stoichiometric composition of extracted species was found to be M (SS)2.HSS.X and [M(SS)3.2phen] where M = Eu(III) and Nd(III). The extraction mechanism is also discussed. The extractant has high loading as well as recycling capacity without any degradation.