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Project

Extraction of rare earths with functionalised hydrophobic ionic liquids.

The rare earths are a group of 17 elements in the periodic system, including neodymium (Nd), europium (Eu), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy) and yttrium (Y). These elements are becoming more and more important, because of their essential role in permanent magnets, lamp phosphors, catalysts and rechargeable batteries. The rare earths occur in Nature as mixtures and these mixtures are difficult to separate due to the similar properties of the rare earths. Solvent extraction is the most important technique for the separation of rare earths. The separation depends upon a preferential distribution of rare earth complexes between two immiscible phases, typically an aqueous and an organic phase, in contact with each other. The replacement of organic diluents in liquid-liquid extractions by ionic liquids could lead to more sustainable extraction processes, because of their low volatility and low flammability. Ionic liquids are solvents that consist entirely of ions. The transfer of hydrated metal ions from an aqueous phase to a hydrophobic ionic liquid phase is unfavorable, so that the use of extractants is necessary. The advantage of using ionic liquids for solvent extractions is lost when neutral molecules are selected as extractants. However, functionalized ionic liquids combine the properties of ionic liquid and extractant into one compound. This project is about the development of solvent extraction systems for rare earths based on such functionalized ionic liquids.
Date:1 Jan 2013 →  31 Dec 2013
Keywords:Rare earths, Ionic liquids, Lanthanides, Solvent extraction, Recycling
Disciplines:Inorganic chemistry