Separation and concentration of lanthanoids using microcapsules containing acidic organophosphorus compounds as an extractant

In this study, we measured the extraction equilibria of lanthanoids with microcapsules containing acidic organophosphorus compound as an extractant and discuss their mutual separation by using a column packed with the microcapsules. The extraction equilibria of lanthanoids into the microcapsules containing 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHPNA) were elucidated and the extraction equilibrium constants were calculated by slope-analysis method. It was suggested that the lanthanoid ions are extracted in the microcapsules in a high loading state.Furthermore, the adsorption behavior of lanthanoids into the column packed with the microcapsules containing EHPNA was observed. It was found that adsorption and elution of lanthanoids are briefly achieved by selecting pH of the feed aqueous solution. However, it was impossible to separate them only in adsorption or elution operation.So, the mutual separation of lanthanoids was investigated using the adsorption column connected to the development column containing microcapsules. By selecting pH of the eluent, each metal was separated mutually in more than 95% of purity. The metal ions in the eluent from the development column could be concentrated by treating it with a column packed with the microcapsules containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA).Considering these information, it will be possible to design a continuous extracting, separating and concentrating reactor of lanthanoids using a column packed with the microcapsules.