Article

Solvent extraction of thorium(<scp>IV</scp>) and rare earth elements with novel polyaramide extractant containing preorganized chelating groups

Lutao HeKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaQian JiangKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaYiming JiaKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaYuyu FangKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaShuliang ZouKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaYuanyou YangInstitute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry CAEP Mianyang 621900 ChinaJiali LiaoKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaNing LiuKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaWen FengKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 ChinaShunzhong LuoInstitute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry CAEP Mianyang 621900 ChinaYanqiu YangInstitute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry CAEP Mianyang 621900 ChinaLiang YangInstitute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry CAEP Mianyang 621900 ChinaLihua YuanKey Laboratory for Radiation Physics and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology College of Chemistry, Sichuan University Chengdu 610064 China

Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnologyjournal2013en

ABI

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Oligoamides containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds have proved to be excellent extractants for metal cations, but their polymeric counterparts have never been used. Thorium separation from rare earth elements has long been a research subject due to its importance in nuclear energy and metallurgy. In this work a novel polyaramide has been synthesized and investigated for solvent extraction and separation of thorium and rare earths. RESULTS The synthesized polymer 1 [( C 32 H 46 N 2 O 6 ) n ], shows a high extractability of 89.4% towards Th( IV ) compared with only 36–48% for rare earths. The optimized pH value for extraction of Th( IV ) was 3.97. At C 1 / C M = 2.0, the extraction for Th( IV ) reached 95.1%. When adding NaNO 3 , the separation of Th( IV ) from La( III ) is more efficient than that from Eu( III ) or Yb( III ), especially at higher NaNO 3 concentration. Th( IV ) can be thoroughly stripped from organic phase at 1.50 mol L ‐1 HNO 3 concentration. CONCLUSION Direct condensation of aromatic diamine and diacid led to a novel polyaramide with introverted chelating groups. Selective extraction of Th( IV ) with respect to rare earths was observed and the extraction was an endothermic process. The salting‐out agent and C 1 / C M ratio can affect the separation efficiency. Thus, the polymer 1 may be a potential candidate for separating thorium and rare earths under specified conditions. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Topics

Radioactive element chemistry and processing Chemical Synthesis and Characterization Extraction and Separation Processes

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1002/jctb.4055

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