Separation and purification of light rare earth elements from chloride media using P204 and Cyanex272 in sulfonated kerosene under non-saponification conditions

The extraction of light rare earths (Pr and Nd) from chloride medium was investigated using a mixture di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (P204) bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic (Cyanex272) in sulfonated kerosene. P204+Cyanex272 system exerted synergistic effect on the separation earths, coefficient higher than when P204 Cyanex272 were used as extractants alone. Pr Nd reached 1.75 pH aqueous phase material solution approximately 2.5, 1.5 mol/L hydrochloric stripping agent effectively eluted earth ions loaded organic phase. Combining slope method, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance we explored mechanism extracted into complex, finally entered with Re(HA<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>B. P-O-H bond P=O extractant formed coordination Re<sup>3+</sup>. Therefore, this method also provides reference for more environmentally friendly efficient procedure purification elements Nd.