Neodymium(III) and Lanthanum(III) Separation by a Flat-Sheet Supported Liquid Membrane System

The interest in neodymium (Nd) is increasing due to its vital role in high-tech applications, such as permanent magnets (Nd2Fe14B alloys). The extraction of Nd from ores and recycling of Nd from waste products, such as batteries, demand effective and efficient Nd separation from other rare-earth elements. Our research used a supported liquid membrane with different extractants to extract and separate Nd and La. The effect of type of extractant, extractant concentration, and the auxiliary agent on Nd/La extraction and separation were determined and are discussed. The results show effective extraction of Nd and promising selectivity of Nd against La using P507 as the extractant compared to P204 and TBP. The extractant concentration played a significant role in enhancing Nd extraction and separation. When the initial concentration of La(III) and Nd(III) was 1000 mg/L, 40/80 (v/v)% P507/D80, initial feed solution pH = 3, strip solution of 3 M HCl, after 6 h 99.8% of Nd(III) was extracted, while the extraction of La(III) was 22.2%. The tests at 5% (v/v) of P507 showed the highest Nd(III)/La(III) separation factor of 44.25.